PURDY'S CALIFORNIA BULBS AND PLANTS 7 
bection III 
TRUE MARIPOSA, or BUTTERFLY TULIPS 
Until one has seen a good collection of these plants, he has no idea how much nature 
can do in the variation of one flower. All Mariposas are simply forms of Calochortus 
venustus, yet there are six well-marked strains, all with the slender grace of stem belong- 
ing to the species. 
Cup-shaped flowers, one to many on a stem, wonderfully marked with eyes and dots 
and pencilings in rich colors, are characteristics. Yet each strain carries out the plan 
on a color scheme of its own, and then can be compared only with the orchids in won- 
derful variability of beauty. 
"Mariposa" is simply the Spanish word for butterfly, and is applied to these Tulips 
because the eyes and markings of the flowers are so much like those on a butterfly's 
wings. It is a musical word given to a county and to a town in California, and we 
would hardly like to give it up for its English equivalent. 
Vesta likes full sun and will grow best in heavy soils. It is a species of my own, found 
on heavy clay soils, is the best grower of all Calochorti, and will succeed in almost any 
ordinary soil. It is a most superb thing, with great 3- to 5-inch flowers, borne on long, 
separate stalks; very numerous. 
The color is white, flushed with lilac or rosy purple, red at center, and purple on 
backs of petals. I think this the best of all Calochorti. Reports from European growers 
put it in the first rank. The fine photograph shown on page 8 does it no more than 
justice. I have very large bulbs at 10 cts. each, or $1 per doz.; good bulbs at 7 cts. each, 
or 60 cts. per doz., and small bulbs to naturalize at $2 per 100. (See picture, page 8). 
EL DORADO STRAIN 
The plants of this strain grow from 1 to 2 feet high and branch. The flowers are 
simply marvelous in their variety of colors and markings. Scarcely two are alike; in a 
mixed lot they may vary through white, lilac to purple and again through shades of 
pink to deep claret-red. No plant subjected to the hybridizer's arts shows wider or 
more beautiful variations. There is no better investment for the flower-lover than a 
quantity of these bulbs. They thrive best in a rather porous soil, either sandy or gritty, 
and will grow either in sun or light shade. Mixed colors, at 4 cts. each, 40 cts. per doz., 
$3 per 100. A second size at $2.25 per 100. 
OCULATUS. CITRINUS AND LUTEUS 
These are most satisfactory flowers. Oculatus is wonderfully varied in whites and 
creams. The eye is large and richly zoned, the pencilings about the base are very delicate. 
I have had the flowers 4 inches across. The plant is a good grower. 
Citrinus differs only in the color. The flowers are deep, rich yellow, with almost 
black eye. It is most excellent, and is in great demand where best known. 
These two at 4 cts. each, 40 cts. per doz., $3 per 103 
MARIPOSA TULIPS IN COLLECTIONS AND MIXTURES 
Perhaps a collection of these lovely flowers will best suit some customer, and I will 
make a collection of 100 bulbs, in equal numbers of each of the four varieties above, for 
$2.50, or a half collection for $1.50. 
A mixture of fine Mariposa Tulips for 30 cts. per doz., and $2.25 per 100 
VARIOUS SPECIES OF MARIPOSA TULIPS 
There are on the Pacific Coast of North America, from British Columbia to far down 
in old Mexico, a wonderful series of other Mariposa Tulips. They must be seen in order 
to realize the superb variations. At this time I can offer only the following fine species. 
Howellii grows about 8 inches high, bearing large white flowers with green hairs on 
the lower, inner portion; a wonderfully beautiful flower. 12 cts. each, $1.25 per doz. 
Leichtlinii grows in the high Sierras and is usually not over 6 inches high, with smoky 
white flowers vividly marked with almost black. 5 cts. each, 50 cts. per doz. 
Macrocarpus is of the sage-brush regions of the Great Basin. The stem is stiff, with 
exquisite lavender llowersof large size, tinted green on the reverse. 10 cts. each, $1 perdoz. 
Splendens rubra grows from 18 inches to 3 feet high, with large flowers of an exquisite 
satiny pinkish lavender throughout. 10 cts. each, $1 per doz. 
Calochorti from Prides Crossing, Mass. "I plant Calochorti in a frame after the 
middle of November and usually have good results with the easier sorts. This year the3' 
did extremely well." 
From Victoria. B. C, comes a report of great success with Brodiseas and Calochorti in well- 
drained beds, giving a winter covering of leaves. He adds that Camassias are highly prosperous. 
