Spring comes early to Texas. Plan NOW to get out and see the incredible diversity of wildflowers planted along Texas roadways and hillsides. Easter weekend is a good time, although you may experience a lot of car traffic.
Lupinus texensis is the Genus and species, the official Texas state flower. The tiny plant seed has a very hard coat and is “scarified” by humans to make it more friendly to the penetrating power of water. Many people have their photos or those of their children taken in fields of bluebonnets during spring.
However, according to the University of Texas, Austin, there are over 5,000 species of Texas wildflowers.
In the wild, bluebonnets may take several years for seeds to grow.
Plants grow about 20 – to 50-cm-tall; are a type of lupine and members of the pea family.
Although most “bluebonnets” are indeed blue, there are other colors of this plant seen: maroon, pink and white. These colors may be the result of mutations. These mutations have since been selectively bred to produce different color strains commercially sold.
There are many other wildflowers you may see. Some are: Texas Indian Paintbrush, Fire wheel, Mexican hat, Goldenrod and, Evening Primrose. A good reference book is the Peterson Guide: A Field Guide To Southwestern And Texas Wildflowers, although there are many other books to select.
Gulf Coast Texas soils rarely support a diversity of wildflowers. You may have to journey to the Texas Hill Country to see hills of blue. There is a “hot line” you may call sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT):
800-452-929
Pack a lunch, fill your gas tank, drive carefully, plan; bring a good guide, map, your camera, spirit of adventure, and, have a great memory and fun!