1995
original description:
Pei Yan-long , Hong De-yuan in: Acta Phytotaxonomica Sinica 33 (1), 91-93 (1995)
Paeonia qiui Y. L. Pei et Hong, sp. nov. Fig. 1
Species nova P. suffruticosae subsp. spontaneae affinis , a qua differt foliolis ovatis vel ovato-rotundatis, saepe integris, eo terminali trifido vel dentato. Frutex deciduus, usque ad 60—80 cm altus, cortice brunneo-griseo et longitudinaliter striato, basi surculo praeditus. Folia biternata; foliola 9, supra purpureo-rubra, subtus leviter viridia, ovata vel ovato-rotundata, 6.5—8.2 cm longa, 5.0—6.5 cm lata, apice obtuso-acuta, basi rotundata, margine saepe integra, foliolum terminate interdum trifidum. Flos terminalis, singulus, 8—12 cm diam.; petala 5—9, subrosea vel rosea, 3.5—5.5 cm longa, 2.0—3.1 cm lata, patentia; filamenta subrosea vel rosea; antherae flavae; discus atro-purpureus, coriaceus, totas carpellas cingens; carpella 5, dense albo- vel luteolo-puberula. Folliculi 5, 1.4—1.8 cm longi, 0.4—0.8 cm lati, fusiformes, dense aureohirti; semina ovoidea, 0.6—0.8 cm longa, 0.5—0.7 cm lata, nigra, nitida. Floret Aprile—Majo. Fructificat Julio—Augusto.
Hubei! Shennongjia, Sunbai Town, alt. 1650—2010m.
on steep precipice and overhanging rocks, 1988-04-25, Qiu Jun-zhuan PB88034 (holotype , PE), PB88021, PB88022, PB88018, PB88025, PB88026; the same locality, 1991-05-04 , Pei Yan-long 911001, 911002, 911003. Fig. 1
Among the wild woody Paeonia species (Sect. Moutan DC) only two species, this new one and P. suffruticosa subsp. spontanea, have leaves strictly biternate, with nine leaflets. The new species differs form P. suffruticosa subsp. spontanea in having leaflets ovate or ovate-rounded, mostly entire, with only the terminal ones shallowly lobed or toothed, and purple-red on the upper surface. Only one population has so far been found on the cliff in the Shennongjia Mountains at an altitude of 1650—2010 m. Certainly it is an endangered species.
1997
reference of Osti
Paeonia quii (Y. L. Pei e Hong), in «Acta Phytotaxonomica Sinica», 3 3 (i), 1995, p. 91, simile alla jishanensis, stolonifera. Foglie ovali, biternate, con non più di 9 foglioline, spesso colorate di rosso, fiore semplice, non grande, rosa o rosso senza macchie, disco rosso che racchiude pressoché completamente i carpelli, molto pubescenti. Originaria della Shennongjia nell'Hubei. Questa peonia non l'ho potuta vedere in natura, perché sono stato informato del suo ritrovamento solo al mio rientro dalla seconda spedizione;
1998
reference of Wang
Paeonia qiui Y.L.Pei and T.Hong in Acta Phytotax. Sin. 33(1): 91,1995
Similar to P. spontanea, it has regular ternate bipinnate leaves, with strictly 9 ovate secondary leaflets, purplish-red ob the upper surface, usually with entire margins except for slight clefts or incisions on terminal leaflets. It grows in Songbaizhen of Sheng Nongjia Hubei at 1650m to 2010m (Fig. 2).
1999
Hong, D.-Y. & Pan, K.-Y. 1999. A revision of the Paeonia suffruticosa complex (Paeoniaceae). -Nordic Journal of Botany 19: 289-299. Copenhagen. ISSN 0107-055X.
3. Paeonia qiui Y. L. Pei et D.-Y. Hong
Acta Phytotax. Sin. 33(1): 91. Fig. l. 1995. -Type: China, Hubei, Shennongjia, Sunbai (Songbai) Town, 1650-2010 m alt. on steep precipice and overhanging rocks, 1988, 05, 20, Qiu J. Z. PB88034 (PE!).
P. ridleyi Z. L. Dai et T. Hong in Bull. Bot. Res. 17(1):1. Fig.l(p.4). 1997, syn. nov. - Type: China, Hubei, Baokang County, Laoyashan, Chongchongya (Changchongya), 1400 m alt. 1994,05,03, Dai, Z. L. 94053 (Baokang Forestry Research Institute Hubei Province!; photo, PE!).
The species is characterized by bitemate leaves with 9 leaflets, which are ovate or broad-ovate, mostly entire and often purple above (Fig, 3), and whitish pink or pink petals with a red blotch at the base (Plate 5). Apparently it is the most closely retated to P. suffruticosa. It sometimes reproduces vegetatively by root turions.
P. qiui is so far found only in four localities in W. Hubei (Songbai Town in the Shennongjia Nature Reserve, and Houping Town and Laoyashan in Baokang County) and W. Henan (Xixia) (Fig. 7). Three of four remaining populations are found on cliffs with a few individuals. Therefore, it is the most endangered species in Paeonia, on the verge of extinction. It is very urgent to take effective measures to conserve the species.
Specimens examined. Hubei, Shennongjia, Songbai Town: 1988,04,25, Qiu, J.Z. PB88018 (PE) and PB88021 (PE); eodem loc. 2000 m alt. 1988,05, 06 Qiu, J.Z. PB88022 (PE), PB88023(PE), PB88024(PE), PB88025(PE) and PB88026(PE); eodem loc.,1991,05,04, Pei, Y.L. 9110 (PH); Songbai Town, sunny grassy slope, 2200 m alt. 1986,05,19, Chen, T. and Ma, L. M. PB86013 (PE); Baokang, Houping Town, Hongjiayuan, in front of Mr. SU Yuan-zhi's house, 1997,05,02, Hong, Ye and Feng H97023 (PE, A, K, MO, S); eodem loc. Yanghu Shan, 1000 m alt. limestone, in secondary forests, 1997,05,02, Hong, Ye and Feng H97027 (PE, MO) and H97028(PE, MO); Houping Town, Chefongping, 1300 m alt., E slope, limestone, on cliffs. 1997,05,03, Hong, Ye and Feng H97029 (PE, A, K, MO, S); eodem loc., Wudaoxia, 1000 m alt., 1997,05,04, Hong, Ye and Feng H97045 (PE).
Henan, Xixia, in forests, 1600 m, 1988,05, Qiu, J. Z. 8305(PE).
1999
HONG De-Yuan & PAN Kai-Yu Taxonomical history and revision of Paeonia sect. Moutan (Paeoniaceae) Acta Phytotaxonomica Sinica 37(4):351-368(1999) Paeonia qiui Y. L. Pei et D. Y. Hong
2001
pictures from a plant sent from Hubei prov., China (R.Pardo, France):
