Peony, 'Paeonia mascula' (L.) Mill. with the root of 'Paeonia officinalis' L.
c. 1610-20RCIN 919401
This drawing is one of a large group of botanical sheets produced for Cassiano’s friend Federico Cesi, and acquired by Cassiano after Cesi’s death in 1630. It is a composite of two species of peony, a flowering branch of Paeonia mascula, to which the root of Paeonia officinalis has been pasted. The reason for this confusing juxtaposition is unclear.