A Closer Look At...

Bluebonnets

Trivia:

• State Flower of Texas (officially adopted in 1901). All species of bluebonnets (the genus Lupinus) are the state flower - this includes not only the common bluebonnets of central Texas, but also the taller Big Bend bluebonnet of west Texas.
• Bluebonnets, like most other members of the legume family, produce their own nitrogen, thus fertilizing the soil.
• Bluebonnet seeds should be planted in the early fall (September to October) so that the plants can form a tuft of leaves that overwinters to produce the flowers in the spring (for better germination, the seeds should be scarified).
• Please do not pick flowers or dig up plants from public lands.

State Parks to Visit: For beautiful bluebonnet displays each spring, visit LBJ State Park, Inks Lake State Park, Pedernales Fall State Park, Palmetto State Park or Enchanted Rock State Natural Area.