GREEN-BANDED MARIPOSA. NOONA.
Calochortus macrocarpus, Dougl. Lily Family
Nature has sent this, one of the finest and most elegant of all our Mariposas, to beautify the arid sagebrush deserts of our northeastern boundary. In Europe it is admired beyond all our other species, and there is a great demand for the bulbs. Its large flowers are of a beautiful lilac, similar in tone to the Marie Louise violet, and each pointed petal has a green band running down its center.
[VIOLET NIGHTSHADE—Solanum Xanti.]
![[VIOLET NIGHTSHADE—Solanum Xanti.]](#3624944100741987669_f100.png.id-5121745363116172274.wrap-0.html.html){kind=link}
Among the Indians of their native region the rather large bulbs of these plants are known as "noonas," and regarded as a priceless delicacy. Even those who have never experienced the bliss of tasting them know them by reputation as the acme of all that is delicious. When Mr. Johnson, of Astoria, wished to secure a number of the bulbs for the European market, he hired the squaws to dig them, but found that they ate them as fast as they dug them; and it was only by offering them most liberal stores of bacon and flour he could induce them to restrain their appetites and part with the treasure.