There are mainly the following varieties:

1. Peony:

Deciduous small shrubs, 1-1.5 meters high; two-triple compound leaves, leaflets often 3-5-lobed; white, red or purple flowers in early summer, flowers are solitary and large; pistil is born on the fleshy disk, densely covered with fine hairs.

2. Purple-spotted Peony (Variety):

Difference from peony: the inner surface of petals has dark purple patches at the base. Leaves are two to three times pinnately compound, leaflets are undivided, sparsely unequally 2-4 lobed. The flowers are large, with white petals.

Distributed in N Sichuan, S Gansu, S Shaanxi (Taibai Mountain area). It grows in understory thickets on mountain slopes at 1100-2800 m above sea level. It is cultivated in Gansu and Qinghai.

The root bark for medicinal purposes, called "danpi"; for antispasmodic medicine, can cool the blood and dissipate blood stasis, treatment of stroke, abdominal pain and other conditions.

3, dwarf peony (var.):

Difference from peony: abaxial surface of leaves and leaf rachis are pubescent, terminal leaflet is broadly ovoid or suborbicular, 4-6 centimeters long, 3.5-4.5 centimeters wide, 3-lobed to the middle, lobes are lobed again.

Originally from Yan'an, Shaanxi, China. Born in sparse forests on mountain slopes.

4, Yao Huang:

Branches are erect and tall, compactly distributed, with a small spreading angle, and the angle between the branches and the vertical line is mostly within 30°. Longer internodes, newborn branch annual growth in 10-15 cm, generally five-year plant height of 40-50 cm, taller than 1 meter.

5, Zhao powder:

Branches more sparse bending to the four sides of the extension, the width of the plant is greater than the height of the plant, the formation of low spread of the shape of the plant, the branches spread with the vertical line of the angle of the angle of more than 45 °, the new branches of the long, softer.

6, the first red:

Branches grow strong and sturdy, to all sides of the diagonal stretching open, the angle between the above two, the shape of the plant is complete and upright, short and tall, the annual growth of the new branches 6-8 cm, the general height of five-year old plant in 30-40 cm.