Lupinus Texensis. If you don’t know what they are, then you aren’t a true Texan. Just kidding! The Lupinus Texensis or Texas bluebonnets are gorgeous lupine flowers that bloom in early spring. Many people who grew up in Texas will remember taking pictures in bluebonnet fields as a kid. If you want to continue or start this tradition with your little one, we’re here to tell your everything you need to know about their history and where to find them.
What are Texas Bluebonnets
Bluebonnets are a wildflower that blooms throughout Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. In 1901, the Texas legislature named the bluebonnet the state flower. Although, there are more than one species of bluebonnets and it wasn’t until 1971 that all six of the lupine (bluebonnet) species were designated as the state flower. If you grew up in Texas, you might remember reading the children’s books, Bluebonnets at the Alamo or The Legend of the Bluebonnets. The flower is an integral part of Texas culture, and in the 1930s, there was a grassroots campaign that helped to get the flowers planted along major highways in our state.
When Do Blue Bonnets Bloom?
Bluebonnets usually bloom in late March, and you will see them along highways or in fields through April. If there is a particularly warm winter, the bluebonnets may bloom a bit earlier. The opposite is true in the case of a colder winter with late-season freezes.
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Where to Find Bluebonnets
If you’re looking for a field of bluebonnets to snap a few pictures in, you’ll have to go on the hunt for one. Since bluebonnets are wildflowers, they don’t always show up in the same place twice. So, you’ll have to keep your eyes and ears open. If you hear about a great patch of Bluebonnets, don’t hesitate. You should go snap a picture before the blooms are gone. If you’re on the lookout for bluebonnets, make sure you are getting out of the city. The flowers are more likely to bloom in open fields, parks, or around lakes than in city centers. You can also look at the social pages of local photographers. They will sometimes post pictures of our gorgeous state flower with the location in the description.
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