Bluebonnet
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This article is about the flower, Bluebonnet. For information on the Australian parrot see Bluebonnet (bird).
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 Lupinus texensis | ||||||||||||||||
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Lupinus argenteus var. palmeri |
The bluebonnet, a name common to several North American species of Lupinus, is the state flower of Texas. They typically grow about 0.3 m (1 ft) tall. The shape of the petals of the flower resembles the bonnet worn by pioneer women to shield themselves from the sun.
On March 7, 1901, Lupinus subcarnosus (also known as Buffalo clover) became the only species of bluebonnet recognized as the state flower of Texas. However, Lupinus texensis (Texas bluebonnet) emerged as the favorite of most Texans. The flowers deep blue blossoms can be seen from March through May in many areas of Texas. So, in 1971, the Texas Legislature made any species of bluebonnet the state flower, including L. subcarnosus, L. texensis, L. concinnus, L. plattensis and L. havardii. Lupinus texensis remains as the iconic Texas bluebonnet.
Although Lupinus texensis is almost exclusively blue in the wild, Texas A&M University researchers were successful in breeding red and white strains, creating a Texas state flag in bluebonnets for the 1986 Texas Sesquicentennial. Further research led to a deep maroon strain -- the university's official color.
Lupinus argenteus var. palmeri (syn. L. palmeri) grows in California, Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. It is commonly referred to as a bluebonnet lupine.
External Links
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (http://www.wildflower.org/), a source for information about bluebonnets and other native Texas plants.
- Details of the Texas A & M University's Red, White, Blue, and Maroon Bluebonnets (http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/98promotions/julyoct/julyoct.html)