California peony is fairly common in the Santa Monica Mountains and other lower elevation, open space areas of Southern California. It can be found in a variety of habitats, including Coastal Sage Scrub and Chaparral.

It is a perennial, and has adapted to our demanding climate by dieing back when conditions become hot and dry.   Its leaf growth tends to parallel that of annual grasses, and as these grasses become long, lush and green following early Winter rains, you'll usually find flowering peonies somewhere in the area.

From Saturday's trail run in Malibu Creek State Park.