28 AS CALIFORNIA FLOWERS GROW 



angled seed-case. It belongs to the Liliaceae, or 

 ly family. Have you noticed how careful the 

 .riposa is of her pollen? See how the petals fold 

 tightly unless the sun is shining. How does she 

 scatter her seeds? Do the plants that come from 

 seeds bloom the first year? Have you ever reckless- 

 ly pulled up a Mariposa? What was on the end? 

 You see by pulling up the plant you have not only 

 stopped the life of this year's Mariposa, but you 

 have taken up the bulb which would produce a new 

 individual. In gathering Mariposa, do take a 

 scissors along and cut the stems. Then you have the 

 enjoyment of their beauty and have not injured their 

 bulbs. 



"Mariposa" is the Spanish word for "butterfly," 

 and was given this beautiful flower by the Spaniards 

 who settled California in 1769. Mariposa County 

 gets its title from the myriads of these lilies that 

 gladden its acres. The genus to which the Mariposa 

 belongs Calochortus includes some of our most 

 beautiful native flowers. In other countries they 

 have been introduced into gardens and are among 

 the most prized of cultivated bulbous plants. The 

 name, Calochortus, is from the ancient Greek, 

 meaning "beautiful grass," which you can see is 

 most appropriate. The name of this species, pur- 

 purasc ens, simply means "purplish," from the tint of 



