Booklet  (1938)  Page(s) 125.  
 
Japanese Peonies (albiflora)
Crown of Thorns (Hollis, 1907) 6.0 (47)
Medium size, bright aster purple, midseason. Staminodes oblanceolate, dark pink. Carpels smooth, tips white; disk lacking. Plant medium size, spreading.

Magazine  (Nov 1911)  Page(s) 75-76.  
 
CROWN OF THORNS.
Species — P. albiliora.
Originated by Hollis, 1907.
Donated by Hollis.
Description of bloom — Type of bloom Japanese. Form of bloom medium globular, compact. Differentiated. Not entirely transformed. Color (total effect) 1 (169) rosy magenta; guards clear; collar same as guards; center clear. Smooth, green carpels, yellow stigma. Center fades much lighter than the guards. Fragrance pleasant XX. Blooming time early. Size medium to small.
Description of plant — Habit of plant erect, medium tall, compact. Growth strong, slightly diseased. Stem medium long, medium strong, reddish green. Blooming habit medium. Buds borne in clusters. Slight blight. Foliage well furnished, medium green, fine ; veins red.
Commercial value — For cut bloom poor; landscape value poor. Variety as a whole poor.

Website/Catalog  (1909)  Page(s) 8.  
 
The following list includes those Wonderful Glowing Suns termed JAPANESE VARIETIES.
All the varieties presented here made their advent in my gardens, and their singularity consists in their being entirely destitute of pollen, and sometimes Nature asserts herself by showing a variety entirely destitute of any pollen or glandulous formation whatever, a mere mass of filaments like A CROWN OF THORNS surrounded by a guard of petals.
Crown of Thorns, 1907, reddish with thorny center, fine ...$1.00

Website/Catalog  (1907)  Page(s) 5.  
 
Japanese Varieties $1.00 each, except noted.
These were all originated by me. In these varieties the outer or guard petals are large, and the inner ones are transformed into golden stamens, (without pollen,) or very narrow fillimentaceous petals; making them very unique flowers.
Crown of Thorns, reddish with thorny center.