Paeonia brownii Douglas ex Hook.

Plants 20-40 cm. Leaves usually 5-8 per shoot, primary divisions 3-6 × 2-5 cm, bases notably narrowed (stalklike), ultimate divisions mostly elliptic to obovate, apices usually obtuse to rounded, surfaces usually ± glaucous (at least abaxially). Flowers: petals maroon to bronze, margins yellowish or greenish, orbiculate, 8-13 mm, usually shorter than inner sepals; filaments 3-5 mm; anthers 2-4 mm. Follicles 2-4 cm. Seeds cylindric, ca. 11 mm. 2n = 10.

It occurs naturally in sagebrush desert and ponderosa pine forest at altitudes of 900-1800 metres. It does best in neutral or alkaline soils. It can grow in sunny places or in light shade. They cannot tolerate waterlogging or extreme dry soils. It can tolerate cold and frost. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 7-9.

The root has a liquorice flavour.

Plants generally breed true from seed. Plants can be grown from seed which are best planted fresh as soon as they are ripe. Seed will germinate in about 6 weeks but can take 18 months if the seed has been stored. Plants do not easily transplant and only divide with difficulty.