Peonies are native to Asia, Europe, and Western North America, and scientists estimate that there are anywhere from twenty-five to forty species. The flowers have lobed leaves and large, often fragrant petals in colors ranging from pink to white to yellow. The two commonly cultivated types of peonies in China are the tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa (mudan)) and the herbaceous peony (P. lactiflora).