Paeoniaceae

Paeonia brownii

Western Peony

Stems erect, 1 to several in cluster. Leaves 5–8 per stem, divided 2 or 3 times, leaflets oval, with rounded tips. Leaves fleshy and coated with white to blue waxy powder. Flowers 1 or more, clustered at stem top. Flowers with 5 leathery, greenish to purplish sepals persisting until winter; 5 smaller, deep red to brownish, round petals with edges yellow to greenish; many stamens and 2–5 thick pistils, surrounded by fleshy disk at base [[ok? OK]]. Grows in open meadows, sagebrush deserts, edges and openings in dry forests, at mid to high elevations.

• Rarity: Locally Common
• Flowering Time: Late Spring, Early Summer
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Height: 8--20 inches
• Habitat: West-Side Forest, East-Side Forest, Shrub-Steppe
• Found In: Siskiyous, Wallowas, Steens, N Cascades Np
• Native: Yes