"An American counterpart of the English beauty Ophelia is her first sport, Mme. Butterfly, which was found growing on an Ophelia bush by E. G. Hill at Richmond. She is much like the parent but larger in size, deeper in color, more fragrant, of even better form and is a better exhibition rose than Ophelia. When Mme. Butterfly is "right" at show time, she is hard to beat. This is attested by the records of many rose displays where this variety has often been declared best in her color class; in large shows she has not infrequently been selected as best rose in the entire exhibit.

Puccini's opera "Mme. Butterfly" was enrapturing the country, just released from the pall of World War I, about the time this rose was produced in Indiana. The music, setting and characters were so gay and colorful that they captured and held the admiration of American audiences. Sensing the similarity between the mood of the opera and the new rose, Miss Sarah Hill, sister of E. G. Hill, named the rose Mme. Butterfly. This name, together with its beauty, fragrance and appeal, launched it with fanfare and success.

Mme. Butterfly is also the mother of several first-class varieties. Up to 1943 she had produced a family of over 20. Six of these were sports, of which Rapture and Lady Sylvia are among the best known. Others by Butterfly include Gaiety, Queen Marie, Florex, Mrs. Percy V. Pennybacker, Lady Can- ada, Sweet Adeline and American Pride."

Gamble, James Alexander. 'Roses Unlimited.' Harrisburg, PA: Mt. Pleasant Press, 1950; 24.