10 
Californian "Bulbs, Grolvn by Carl Purdy 
CALOCHORTI—SECTION III 
True Mariposa, or Butterfly Tulips. Calochortus venustus 
In this group of bulbous plants there is an elegance of form, with a wonderful 
beauty of coloring, which justifies the enthusiastic praise that they have received where- 
ever known. Their exquisitely modeled flowers are erect and cup-shaped like their 
cousins of Europe and Asia, but are smaller and more graceful. Their branches are 
slender and often many-flowered, slender and erect. The brilliantly colored flowers 
have eye-like spots on each petal and sepal, and other delicate markings, with dots, 
lines and hairs. Only the orchid excels them in varied beauty. It is not to be wondered 
that the Spanish called them “Butterflies,” for which their musical word is Mariposa, 
for no flower could more perfectly imitate the markings on a butterfly’s wings. The 
bulbs are small and can be mailed dry to all parts of the world. 
Venustus roseus. The petals are broad, creamy white, suffused with pale lilac. A rose- 
colored blotch is at the apex of the petal, a richly marked eye in the middle, while 
the base is hairy and beautifully tinted. The back of the petal is also richly colored 
with carmine. A most lovely species. 5 cts. each, 40 cts. per doz. 
Venustus purpurescens. In this the flowers may be 3 inches in diameter, creamy white 
inside for half way, but with purplish center and purple outside. They have no 
rose-colored blotch, but have the usual eye. It is a strong grower, native to heavv 
soils, and is one of the best of all Calochorti. Colored plate in “ Garden” (London), 
1895. 5 cts. each, 40 cts. per doz. 
Venustus, Eldorado Strain. The plants are vigorous in growth, and from 1 to 3 feet 
high and quite floriferous. The flowers are large and the petals have a satiny luster 
which is most captivating. The variety of colors is remarkable, and not exceeded 
in any flower even under the hybridizer’s care. From white they are found in all 
shades of lilac to deep purple, in all shades of reddish purple, pink, and salmons, 
and in rich, deep reds. The markings are so numerous and variable as to be in¬ 
describable. Some few have a golden or red blotch near the apex of the petal, 
all have a rich eye variously marked, and all are beautifully marked and penciled 
about the base. They all grow together and the mixed bulbs as offered give 
endless surprises. There is no better investment for the flower-lover than a hun¬ 
dred or more. In addition to general cultural directions, I would say that this 
strain especially likes some shade and a very porous soil. Avoid heavy soils. 
My superb mixed bulbs, 4 cts. each, 40 cts. per doz., $3 per 100; second size, 
$2 per 100. 
Venustus oculatus. These are among the very best Calochorti. Sturdy stalks bear 
flowers sometimes 4 inches across. In color they vary from white and cream through 
lilac to purple. The eye is large and richly zoned, the pencilings about the bale 
are very delicate, and the flowers very attractive. 3 cts. each, 25 cts. per doz., 
$2 per 100. 
Venustus citrinus. This superb variety is like the last, but lemon-yellow, with almost 
black eye. In England this is considered the finest of all Calochorti. It is the largest 
seller of all with me. 3 cts. each, 25 cts. per doz., $2 per 100. 
Vesta. This may be considered a variety of C. venustus, but I think it distinct. It is 
a species of my own, found in heavy clay soils, which nearly all of the other species 
are so impatient of. As a grower, it is the best of all Calochorti, and will succeed 
in almost any ordinary soil. The immense flowers are from 3 to 5 inches across, 
borne on long, separate stalks, and numerous. Color white, suffused with lilac or 
rose-purple. Center red, back of petal purple, beautifully oculated. I think it 
the best of all Calochorti. Reports from Europe put it in the first rank. 
Supply certain. The frontispiece shows a fine picture of this lovely flower. Very 
large, 10 cts. each, $1 per doz.; good, 7 cts. each, 60. cts. per doz ; small bulbs, to 
naturalize, $2 per 100. 
VARIOUS SPECIES OF MARIPOSA TULIPS 
All of these are superb flowers which differ from the True Butterfly Tulips in being 
destitute of eye-like spots on the petals, and in varying much less in markings. Every 
one of these are beautiful, while some of them are simply exquisite in shadings. 
Splendens (d he Lilac Mariposa 1 ulip). A tall, slender, many-flowered plant, with 
fine lilac flowers of a deep reddish lilac, finely marked at base. 4 cts. each, 40 cts. 
per doz. 
Splendens rubra. I his is a tall species from Lake county, Cal., which bears large flowers 
of an exquisitely beautiful, satiny pink. It grows in a sticky adobe and is more 
likely to prove hardy than the first form. 6 cts. each, 70 cts. per doz. 
