PPDL Picture of the Week

February 22, 2016

Starfish On Your Peonies?

Rosie Lerner, Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist, Purdue University

Gardeners may be surprised to see what some describe as "starfish" growing on their peony plants, some say they resemble crowns. These are seed pods that often develop after the flowers fade.  If allowed to remain on the plant long enough, the pods eventually split open to reveal seed inside. Or the pods may be empty if pollination was not successful or the flowers may be sterile in some cultivars.  The individual pods are botanically referred to as follicles; the number of follicles in the cluster is variable.