This is one of a pair of flower pieces (see also CW 183, 405622) which have variously been attributed during their time in the Royal Collection to Mathias Withoos and van Schrieck. Both artists specialise in a type of 'spooky' still life, with reptiles and decayed matter, which became popular from the 1650s. Van Schrieck seems to be the most likely artist to have painted the present work, which has a deliberately nocturnal feel. On what appears to be a mossy bank, a spray of morning glory grows from the right, with several blooms and buds; four white butterflies flutter about. A snake rears up, lower left, and a grasshopper rests on the top most leaf.