"Pot luck"Paeony

[robg]

A couple of years I got this plant via the RBGE, and it has remained so labelled.  It caught my eye yesterday as there was, through the rain and wind(!), a quick flash of pink.  On closer looking this is seeds I am seeing - I am assuming it must have flowered through the summer when I was away at some point.

Having been involved with the Seed Exchange for a number of years I am well aware of the large size of paeonia seeds, but having said that there must be small ones too, and these fall into that category in that they are barely 3mm in diameter. 

So I don't know what the flower is like but I do have some small reddish pink seeds - does that help at all with identification ?

Rob

 

 

[David Nicholson]

I know than Paeonia broteroi and P. mlokosewitschii both have red/pink seeds and others may have to

[DaveM]

Yes, some Peonies produce these. My plant of Molly the Witch does just this. However, the red or pink "seeds" are not viable and will not germinate. You need to collect the black or brown spherical objects.

[David Nicholson]

Ah, that answers one problem

[Lori S.]

So I don't know what the flower is like but I do have some small reddish pink seeds - does that help at all with identification ?

As said, these are seeds that weren't fertilized.  Most of my peonies produce infertile seeds among the fertile ones (which are large, black and shiny), so your observation is not actually helpful towards an ID.   However, showing photos of the plant would be very helpful!  The seed pods (re. # of carpels), leaves and plant overall, plus some description of its characteristics (herbaceous or woody?) would probably suggest an ID (not necessarily to me but to those here who are knowledgeable about peonies).

[robg]

Many thanks David and others - there was a temptation to plant the seeds anyway until I read the following post emphasising this being a characteristic of paeonies !

If I'd seen the flower in the summer I'd have recorded it then.  Until next summer, it will remain as 'Pot Luck Paeony'!

Rob