Bluebonnet
Lupinus texensis
Family: Fabaceae · Also called Texas Bluebonnet, Buffalo Clover, Wolf Flower, Lupinus leonensis, Lupinus texensis f. albus
Green & Fresh · Spring bloomer
Bluebonnets turn the Texas Hill Country into an ocean of blue each March and April, dense spikes of pea-like flowers in vivid lupine blue with a white tip that ages to purple after pollination. When conditions are right, entire hillsides, meadows, and highway shoulders become carpets of blue that draw photographers from around the world.
imagination, happiness, the Texas spirit
In the Victorian language of flowers, bluebonnet means “Imagination and happiness”. The state flower of Texas since 1901, Texans take bluebonnets seriously. Photographing children in bluebonnet fields is an annual spring ritual. It's technically legal to pick them (despite popular belief), but heavily frowned upon. Highway departments sow bluebonnet seed along Texas roads. Lady Bird Johnson's highway beautification program spread them across the state.
Did You Know?
The white tip on each bluebonnet flower turns red-purple after pollination, this serves as a signal to bees: 'already visited, try the white-tipped ones instead.' Bluebonnets are legumes that fix nitrogen in the soil, improving it for other plants. Each flower spike opens from the bottom up over 2-3 weeks, prolonging the display.
Prairies, roadsides, meadows, and open ground on alkaline soils in central Texas
Bluebonnet is native to Texas, United States. It naturally grows in prairies, roadsides, meadows, and open ground on alkaline soils in central texas.
Scent Profile
“A faint, sweet grape-like scent, subtle and easily missed unless you kneel in a field of them. The collective fragrance of a bluebonnet meadow is more noticeable than individual flowers.”
Quick Reference
- Scientific NameLupinus texensis
- FamilyFabaceae
- Native ToTexas, United States
- Bloom SeasonSpring
- LifespanAnnual
Cultural Significance
The state flower of Texas since 1901, Texans take bluebonnets seriously. Photographing children in bluebonnet fields is an annual spring ritual. It's technically legal to pick them (despite popular belief), but heavily frowned upon. Highway departments sow bluebonnet seed along Texas roads. Lady Bird Johnson's highway beautification program spread them across the state.