【Chinese Flower Distinguish】牡丹和芍药 Peony & Chinese herb Peony

仲春时节正是各种花卉次第开放的季节,"花王"——牡丹和"花相"——芍药正是其中的佼佼者。

Though there are numerous flowers blooming in late spring, peony and Chinese herb peony are among the most beautiful and meaningful ones, actually they are honored as the king and the prime minister of flowers in Chinese culture.

   

但是，你是否能够分得清楚这两种不同的花卉呢？

Could you distinguish these two beauties from flowers' world?

 

  

其实，它们有很多的不同：

They can be differentiated by several traits.

	牡丹 Peony	芍药 Chinese Herb Peony
叶子 Leaves	顶端分叉 lobed leaves，like Trident	顶端不分叉 Like common leaves
花序 inflorescence	一朵花开于顶端 One on the top	多朵花 Many on the top
开花时间 Blossoming	四月下旬 Late April	五月上旬 Early May
茎 Stem	木质茎 Woody	草本茎 Herb

   

1. 叶子： 牡丹的叶子前端分叉，而芍药不分。
2. 花序：牡丹，一朵花独生枝头；芍药为多朵花，且花形略小。
3. 花期： 牡丹为四月下旬，芍药为五月上旬。当然还要考虑当地环境气候。
4. 茎：芍药为草本茎，而牡丹为木本茎。故"牡丹"亦有木芍药之称。

   

   

综上所述：辨别芍药和牡丹的最佳方法是看它的叶子：花期之外无法观察到其花的性状；新生的嫩茎亦不易于辨别。

In conclusion, observing leaves is the most suitable way to recognize each of them. After all, you have no access to their flowers in most of year, and the caulicles have no obvious difference.