Red: A strange seed was planted on its back at birth. The plant sprouts and grows with this POKéMON.Yellow: It can go for days without eating a single morsel. In the bulb on its back, it stores energy.Gold: The seed on its back is filled with nutrients. The seed grows steadily larger as its body grows.
Prof. Lotus' Notes: Hi, I'm Professor Lotus. I see you've found my notes. Did you know, Pokemon (ポケモン) is derived from a japanese portmantaeu of (ポケト Poketo / Pocket) and (モンスタMonsuta / Monster), and the design of pokeballs is actually based on capsule toys called ガチャポン - Gachapon. My theory: this is why Gotcha appears when you've caught a Pokemon - as homage, but, I take it you're here for Bulbasaur.
Bulbasuar is likely a portmantaeu of Bulb (plant on it's back) and Dinasaur. It's Japanese name is フシギダネ (Fushigidane), which can be seen as a play on words of 不思議種 (不思議 - Fushigi (Miracle) and 種 - Tane (Seed/Bulb)), but translated literally, it means - isn't it strange?