Lupinus subcarnosus
(Texas Bluebonnet)
Lupinus subcarnosus, Lake Somerville State Park, Nails Creek, Lee Co. 2637
Lupinus subcarnosus, Lake Somerville State Park, Nails Creek, Lee Co. 2615
Lupinus subcarnosus, Lake Somerville State Park, Nails Creek, Lee Co. 2641
Lupinus subcarnosus, Lake Somerville State Park, Nails Creek, Lee Co. 2621
Lupinus subcarnosus, Lake Somerville State Park, Nails Creek, Lee Co. 2646
| Scientific Name | Lupinus subcarnosus | USDA PLANTS Symbol | LUSU |
| Common Name | Texas Bluebonnet, Sandyland Bluebonnet | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 26127 |
| Family | Fabaceae (Pea) | Wildflower Center Ref. | Click Here |
| Description | Habitat: Deep, fine sandy loams; rangelands, woodland edges, common along roadsides. Plant: Erect, winter annual 6 to 16 inches tall, branched from base, branches more or less decumbent; stems with silky hairs. Leaves: Alternate leaves divided into 5 (rarely 7) oblanceolate leaflets each 1/2 to 1-inch long with rounded tips; lower surfaces and edges with silky hairs, upper surfaces are smooth; on petioles twice as long as longest leaflets. Inflorescence: Several flowers crowded in raceme 2-1/2 to 5 inches long; each blossom 3/8 to 1/2-inch long with 5 broad, bright blue petals; banner with white center, becoming purplish with age; wings inflated. Bloom Period: February to April. References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, "Wildflowers of Texas" by Geyata Ajilvsgi, and "Wildflowers of Texas" by Michael Eason. Note: This species looks very similar to another, L. texensis, but this species' inflorescence is shorter, less congested with blossoms, and the tip more rounded and less conspicuous; and the leaflets have rounded tips. This species is distributed generally in the eastern and southern portions of the state. Both are designated as the Texas State Flower, along with the other Lupinus in the state. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2024