The Guardian of the Steppe Peony Reserve at Zau de Câmpie, Ciprian Cenan, announced on Thursday the blooming of the first peonies, officially opening the visiting season.
„With a slight delay compared to previous years, but still on schedule, this morning I had the joy of finding three blooming peonies, and this is the most beautiful one, symbolically marking the start of the visiting season! In the following days, more and more will open, and we invite you to admire them!”
"As usual, we kindly ask you to respect the signs in the reserve, to stay on the designated path to avoid stepping on other plants and small peonies, to respect the area and its boundaries," wrote Ciprian Cenan on Facebook.
The Steppe Peony Reserve (Paeonia tenuifolia) at Zau de Câmpie, unique in Europe and the highest place in the world where this flower has adapted, is located 5 kilometers from the center of the commune, in a natural setting untouched by modernization, amidst nature.
The Steppe Peonies at Zau de Câmpie bloom from April to May, sometimes until June, depending on the temperature, remaining in bloom for only seven days, reaching a height of 10 to 30 centimeters, with bright red flowers that give them a unique charm.
Aside from the legend circulating in Zau de Câmpie, there are also documents attesting that the Mureș Steppe Peony Reserve was established in 1932 by the academician Alexandru Borza, considered the founder of the Romanian botanical school, with an initial area of 2.5 hectares.
The one who saved the steppe peony from extinction and expanded the reserve to 3.5 hectares during World War II was Marcu Sâncrăianu from Zau de Câmpie.
The Steppe Peony Reserve at Zau de Câmpie was developed thanks to the effort of over 60 years by Marcu Sâncrăianu, who cared for them until the age of 91, continued by his apprentice, Octavian Călugăr, from 2008 until September 2017, when he succumbed to a heart disease, and since 2017, the honorary custodian has been Ciprian Cenan.