The notion of peony has several meanings in the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ). When the term comes from the Latin paeonĭa , in turn derived from the Greek paiōnía , it refers to a plant that is part of the ranunculaceae group.
Peonies are characterized by their large , pink or reddish flowers , which allow them to be highly valued for their ornamentation capacity. There are about forty species recognized as peonies, both shrubs and perennials.
It is interesting to know that in China for thousands of years the peony was used for its medicinal powers. Specifically, it is considered that its boiled roots helped and help improve blood flow and even lower fever.
In the same way, it should not be overlooked that, however, it did not reach Europe until the 18th century.
The best-known peony is Paeonia officinalis , which grows mainly in the Mediterranean . Antibacterial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties are attributed to its flowers and seeds .
However, there are four other varieties of the peony that are well known and stand out for their beauty:
-Coral Charm, which is characterized because its petals are presented in peach or coral color. They also have the peculiarity that they flower very quickly.
-Sarah Bernardth, named after one of the most important actresses of French origin in history. The petals of this peony are curled, it is very large and gives off a captivating aroma.
-Coral Sunset. This other variety is identified because it opens a lot, changes color and lasts a long time.
-Duchesse de Nemours, which is usually white. It is one of the most beautiful that exists and is in high demand especially for weddings. It is one of those that takes the longest days to open and can be cut for around a week and a half.
Experts in the meaning of flowers and plants establish that giving a peony to another person is a way to both show them your love and also wish them the best in life. Hence, it has become a very common flower at weddings and, specifically, in brides' bouquets.
In several countries , on the other hand, a legume with small, spiked flowers is called peony. Its seeds, red in color and with a black spot, are usually used to make bracelets, necklaces and other products.
Peony, meanwhile, can also derive from pawn . According to the RAE , a peony is what a laborer can do in a day's work .
Furthermore, peony was the name given to the land that, after the conquest of a region, was granted to each soldier so that they could settle there. The peony, in this framework, functioned as a measure of surface area .
Those who fought to achieve conquest were awarded a peony. The dimensions were not fixed, but were linked to merit and productivity. In any case, it was estimated that one peony was enough for the soldier to settle with his family .