PURDY'S CALIFORNIA BULBS AND PLANTS 7 
Oection 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 
veuustiis, 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. 
"A-Iariposa" 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). 
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 arc deep, rich yellow, with almost 
black eye. It is most excellent, and is in great demand where best known. 
Like these two, in every way but markings, is Luteus. The color is a clear yellow, 
and the usual eye is replaced by delicate pencilings. Price the same as of the other two 
These three at 4 cts. each, 40 cts. per doz., $3 per 100 
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 \'arieties 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 scries of other Mariposa Tulips. They must be seen in order 
to realize the superb variations. At this time I can oft'er 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. 
Nitidus is a most unique and lovely plant midway between the Mariposa Tulips and 
the Star Tulips. It is a native of the northwestern regions, where it grows in cold, wet 
spots, and endures great cold. Strong-growing, with from five to ten blossoms in a head. 
The flowers are large and white, with an indigo blotch in the center of each petal, and are 
covered inside with silky hairs. 3 cts. each, 25 cts. per doz. 
Macrocarpus is of the sage-brush regions of the Great Basin. The stem is stiff, with 
exquisite lavender flowers of 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 they did extremely 
well." 
From Victoria, B. C, comes a report of great success with Brodicxas and Calochorti in 
well-drained beds, giving a winter covering of leaves. He adds that Camassias are highly 
prosperous. 
