peony (n.)

type of strong-growing perennial of the family Pæonia, with large, showy, globular flowers, familiar in gardens, Middle English pyony, a merger of Old English peonie and Old North French pione (Modern French pivoine), both from Late Latin peonia, from Latin pæonia, from Greek paionia (fem. of paionios), perhaps from Paiōn, name of the physician of the gods (or Apollo in this aspect), and so called for the plant's healing qualities (see paean). The root, flowers, and seeds formerly were used in medicine. The modern spelling is from 16c.