Texas Bluebonnets

The Texas Bluebonnet is the state flower of Texas. It is part of the lupine family. The Bluebonnet became the state flower on March 7, 1901. It is called such because it bears a resemblance to a woman's sunbonnet. This flower can be seen all over the state of Texas in the spring, usually around March-May. This flower is also known as buffalo clover, wolf flower, and "el conejo" (Spanish for jackrabbit).

Bluebonnets are a form of the lupine flower coming from the Latin word lupus, meaning wolf. They are called "wolf flower" because it was once believed they "devoured" the soil of nutrients, because they are found growing where nothing else can grow. It is now known otherwise that bluebonnets in fact add to the nutrients of the soil.

6 State Flowers

Before 1971, there were debates over which variation of bluebonnet was the actual state flower. (Only two variations were known at that time). In 1971, the state legislature solved this confrontation by making both variations and "any other variety of bluebonnet not heretofore recorded" the state flower. Currently there are actually six different species of state flowers in Texas.  

The six state flowers of Texas are:

  1. Lupinus subcarnosus, the original champion and still co-holder of the title, grows naturally in deep sandy loams from Leon County southwest to LaSalle County and down to the northern part of Hidalgo County in the Valley. It is often referred to as the sandy land bluebonnet. The plant's leaflets are blunt, sometimes notched with silky undersides. This species, which reaches peak bloom in late March, is not easy to maintain in clay soils. This is one of the two species with seeds available to the general public.
  2. Lupinus texensis, the favorite of tourists and artists, provides the blue spring carpet of Central Texas. It is widely known as THE Texas Bluebonnet. It has pointed leaflets, the flowering stalk is tipped with white (like a bunny's tail) and hits its peak bloom in late March and early April. It is the easiest of all the species to grow. This is one of the two species with seeds available to the general public.
  3. Lupinus Havardii, also known as the Big Bend, Long Stem, or Chisos Bluebonnet, is the most majestic of the Texas bluebonnet tribe with flowering spikes up to three feet. It is found on the flats of the Big Bend country in early spring, usually has seven leaflets and is difficult to cultivate outside its natural habitat. The seeds of this bluebonnet are only available for to licensed growers. Currently there is only one available, ?????? which grows them for commercial cut flowers.
  4. Lupinus concinnus is an inconspicuous little lupine, from 2 to 7 inches, with flowers which combine elements of white, rosy purple and lavender. Commonly known as the annual lupine, it is found sparingly in the Trans-Pecos region, blooming in early spring.
  5. Lupinus plattensis sneaks down from the north into the Texas Panhandle's sandy dunes. It is at the southern tip of its range here in Texas. It is one of two perennial species in the state and grows to about two feet tall. It normally blooms in mid to late spring and is also known as the Dune Bluebonnet, the Plains Bluebonnet, and the Nebraska Lupine.
  6. Lupensis perennis is native to the sands of Texas all the way to Florida. This is one of two perennial species in the state. It is also known as the Sundial Lupine.

Bluebonnet Colors

The bluebonnet is found in variations of five major colors. Blue, white, pink, lavender, and maroon. Regardless of the color, the bluebonnet is still the state flower of Texas.

The blue color is the primary color of the bluebonnet, hence the name of the flower. 

The white bluebonnet is an albino variation found in nature. 

The pink bluebonnet is a rare occurrence in nature. There is an interesting legend about the pink bluebonnet.

The "Barbara Bush Lavender" bluebonnet is a selection of natural variation that was collected and improved through recurrent selection. 

The maroon bluebonnet is a fairly new color selection. It has been enhanced by A&M and is now available in seed form through Wildseed Farms. 

 

Texas Wildflowers
Wildflowers

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