The bluebonnets, several North American species of Lupinus, are 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. Their deep blue blossoms can be seen from March through May in most areas of Texas. So, in 1971, the Texas Legislature made any variety of bluebonnet the state flower. Lupinus texensis remains as the iconic Texas bluebonnet. Including L. subcarnosus, L. texensis, L. concinnus, L. plattensis and L. havardii.
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 formerly L. palmeri grows in California, Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico, it is also commonly referred to as a bluebonnet lupine.
External inks
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)
Also, be advised that in bluebonnet stands which have been allowed to naturally reseed the mixing of blues with pinks or whites will, in several years, result in reversion to the blue color due to cross-pollination and the subsequent masking of the less dominant color strain.
Bluebonnets are probably the most important native rangeland legume in Texas, often occupying hundreds of acres of rolling hillsides during the cool (fall, winter and spring) months.
Bluebonnetplants have the capacity, with the help of Rhizobium, to produce as much nitrogen as soybeans, which often yield as much as 100 pounds of nitrogen per acre.
Feeds |
Contact