It has beautiful blossoms, reaching 13 cm in diameter and colored in all shades of red in its natural state. People in the past were very fond of it and much charmed by its beauty. The plant is cultivated in many countries throughout the world and still grows naturally in South and Southeast Europe as well as in Southwest Asia to a height of 60-70 cm. 

Peony is a herb but all parts of the plant, when taken in high doses, are poisonous and cause vomiting, paresthesias, accelerated heartbeat. It is proved that a small dose provokes excessive menstrual bleeding, which leads to abortion and, at the same time, makes the clotting of blood easier. The substances extracted from the roots and the seeds have no application in medicine.