This red Peony of Constantinople is very like in all things vnto the double red Peonie, but that the flowers hereof are single, and as large as the last, and that is larger then either the single female, or the male kinde, consisting of eight leaues, of a deeper red colour then either the single or double Peonies, and not purplish at all, but rather of the colour of an ordinary red Tulipa, standing close and round together: the roots of this kinde haue longer clogs, and not so short as of the ordinary female kinde, and of a paler colour on the outside.
The Place.
All these Peonies haue beene sent or brought from diuers parts beyond the Seas; they are endenized in our Gardens, where wee cherish them for the beauty and delight of their goodly flowers, as well as for their Physicall vertues.
The Time.
They all flower in May, but some (as I said) abide a small time, and others many weekes.
| 1 | Pæonia mas cum semine. The male Peony & the seed. |
| 2 | Pæonia fæmina Byzantina. The female red Peony of Constantinople. |
| 3 | Pæonia fæmina flore pleno vulgaris. The ordinary double Peony. |
| 4 | Pæonia flore pleno albicante. The double white Peony. |
| 5 | Helleborus vernus atrorubente flore. The early white Ellebor with a darke red flower. |
| 6 | Helleborus niger verus. The Christmas flower. |
| 7 | Calceolus Mariæ. Our Ladies Slipper. |
The Names.
The name Pæonia is of all the later Writers generally giuen to these plants, although they haue had diuers other names giuen by the elder Writers, as Rosa fatuina, Idæus dactylus, Aglaophotis, and others, whereof to set downe the causes, reasons, and errours, were to spend more time then I intend for this worke. Wee call them in English, Peonie, and distinguish them according to their titles.