Paeonia peregrina

Peregrina, comes from the Latin peregrīnus (foreigner), from peregrē (to be abroad). Paeonia, comes from Ancient Greek: paiōnía (παιωνία), related to paiṓnios (healing) and paiôn (physician), as Paiā́npaean. According to Homer, Paean was the physician of the Olympian gods, considered by Hesiod as an individual deity who "knows the remedies for all things". After the period of Homer and Hesiod, the word Paean become an epithet of Apollo and later of Asclepius, son of Apollo, the god-healer. ==Distribution and habitat==

Paeonia peregrina is a Balkan species native to south-eastern Europe, distributed from Italy, Albania, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania to Turkey (Anatolia) and Moldova. It is a common species found in arid, rocky areas, at the edge of forests or meadows and, less commonly, in grasses. It is usually found in the shade of broad-leaved deciduous forests, pine forests or mixed forests. ==Culture==

Romania Known as the Romanian peony in Romania (""), the Paeonia peregrina is commonly present in the traditional culture and Romanian folklore, with an impressive variety of symbols mentioned in history, music, poetry, literature, painting, design and architecture. Starting during the reign of King Carol I, the idea of choosing a national flower was proposed. The Paeonia peregrina was among the proposals, however none were ever accepted to be formally legislated. The project proposing the peony as the national flower was reactivated in June 2013 headed by professor Florin Toma of the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest. Since its launch, the initiative enjoyed strong support, both nationally and internationally. The Romanian peony day is celebrated on 15 May. Serbia and Kosovo The Paeonia peregrina is important in Serbian folklore. Known as Kosovo peonies (, ), they are said to represent the blood of Serbian warriors who died in the Battle of Kosovo. ==Gallery==

File:SeedsPaeoniaperegrina.jpg|Seeds File:Paeonia peregrina Piwonia obca 2015-05-17 08.jpg|Flower File:Paeonia peregrina, kosovski božur.jpg|Mature plant File:Paeonia peregrina Piwonia obca 2009-07-20 04.jpg|Fruits File:Stamps of Romania, 2011-47.jpg|Paeonia peregrina on a Romanian stamp ==References==