Anomalous peony. Kurgan Region
Anomalous
peony, known also as Marya's root in Russian (Paeonia anomala L.) is a rare
red-listed plant of the Kurgan region. The name of the flower comes from the
Greek word paionios - healing, medicinal, in honor of the ancient Greek
physician Peon, who was famous for his knowledge of healing herbs.
Peonies are
perennial herbaceous summer-green plants. They bloom in May-June and usually
grow to a height of 60-100 cm. Peony flowers are large, fragrant,
purplish-pink, 8-13 cm in diameter.
Anomalous
peony was bred back in the XVIII century as an ornamental plant to decorate
gardens and complement floral compositions. Today the plant can be found wild
in the region. Peonies grow under the canopy of the relict forest on the
territory of the nature monument “Cherry Island Dacha”, whose unique flora
regularly attracts biologists and local historians, as well as many tourists -
nature lovers. Peonies can also be admired on the peninsulas of the salt water
body of the resort “Lake Medvezhye” in the Kurgan region.
Anomalous
peony is one of the most beautiful and medicinally valuable species of forest
herbs. The greatest benefit is concentrated in the root of the plant, which
contains essential oils, a large amount of starch, tannins, trace elements -
strontium and chromium. Tincture of the roots is used as a sedative for
insomnia and neurosis. The plant is also used in cosmetology and cooking.
Once
peonies were massively cut for bouquets and medicinal preparations, which
negatively affected the population of the plant. But for many years now the
anomalous peony has been included in the Red Book of the Kurgan region and is
strictly protected by law. Residents of the region are actively growing peonies
in their homestead plots and adjacent territories - the bright flowers have
become a distinctive feature of urban and rural landscapes in the Kurgan
region.
Along with the RUSSIA EXPO, the flower festival is also coming to an end.
The "Future in Flowers" festival continues at the RUSSIA EXPO, where unique flowerbeds from all regions of our country can be seen at the "Space" pavilion until July 8.
The RUSSIA EXPO concludes on July 8, and with it, the flower festival will also come to an end.