oic
From wiki
The peony, along with the plum blossom, are two traditional floral
symbols of China. In 1903, the Qing Dynasty declared the peony as
the national flower. Currently, the Republic of China on Taiwan
designates the plum blossom as the national flower, while the
People's Republic of China has no legally designated national
flower. In 1994, the peony was proposed as the national flower
after a nationwide poll, but the National People's Congress failed
to ratify the selection. In 2003, another selection process has
begun, but to date, no choice has been made.
The famous ancient Chinese city Luoyang has a reputation as a
cultivation centre for the peonies. Throughout Chinese history,
peonies in Luoyang are often said to be the finest in the country.
Dozens of peony exhibitions and shows are also annually held
there.
The Japanese name for the peony "Ebisugusuri" means "medicine from
China". In traditional folk medicine, peony root was used as a
treatment for menstrual cramps, asthma and convulsions.
The peony is also the State flower of Indiana. In 1957, the Indiana
General Assembly passed a law to make the peony as the state flower
of Indiana. It replaced the zinnia, which had been the state flower
since 1931.
Peonies are also extensively grown as ornamental plants for their
very large, often scented flowers.
