1.5 in. flower; 5 green sepals, 5 maroon petals. Dos Picos County Park, Ramona, San Diego Co., CA. 3-23-08. © Joan Avise |
California Peony Paeonia californica A common perennial on loamy or clay soils in understory or open sparsely-vegetated areas, in chaparral openings, rocky grasslands and oak woodlands; often more prominent after fires. One of two species of Peony native to North America, and is considered by some to be a subspecies of the other native, P. brownii which is native to Wyoming and Utah. California Peony is endemic to California's central and south coasts, transverse and peninsular ranges. It is dormant in summer, and sprouts from the root system with the first fall rain. Flowers develop in mid-late winter. After spring growth, the plant dies back to the ground. Back to Paeoniaceae of Orange County, CaliforniaBack to Eudicots of Orange County, California Back to Natural History of Orange County, California |
Bluewater Trail, fr Oak Flats to San Mateo Cyn., 2-8-15. © Ron Vanderhoff. |
Bluewater Trail, fr Oak Flats to San Mateo Cyn., 2-8-15. © Ron Vanderhoff. |
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Palmately compound divided leaves. Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Preserve, Riverside Co., CA. 3-01-09. © Joan Avise |
Usually three leathery seedpods that open on one side to release seed. Dos Picos County Park, Ramona, San Diego Co., CA. 3-23-08. © Joan Avise |
Succulent perennial herb to 18 in. tall. Dos Picos County Park, Ramona, San Diego Co., CA. 3-23-08. © Joan Avise |
Flower bends over at the end of a smooth stem. San Juan Loop Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Riverside Co., CA. 3-29-08. © Joan Avise |
SE Los Alisos and Vista del Lago, MV, 12-25-13. © Ron Vanderhoff. |