Paeonia peregrina Mill. (P. decora Anders)

 

A wild peony threatened with extinction . It comes from the Balkan Peninsula. It’s stem is erect, hairless, longitudinally divided and reaches a height of 60cm.The flowers are simple and big carmine. It usually has five different calyces. It has numerous stamens with red stalks and yellow anthers. Population is numerous. The peony grows in shrubs and fields in fresh rich soil. It is one of the most beautiful species.

It grows in South and South-eastern Europe and in Southwestern Asia. It is widely spread in the whole country, up to 1000 m above the sea level. It grows in sparse forests in some areas in North Bulgaria in Strandga Mountains in the valley of river Struma, Bojurishte village, Sofia and round St Kiriak monastery near Asenovgrad.

It blooms in the beginning of May.