Lupinus texensis
(Texas Bluebonnet)
Lupinus texensis, Dripping Springs Area, Hays Co. 3312
Lupinus texensis, Enchanted Rock Natural Area, Llano Co. 5342
Lupinus texensis, Emma Long Park, Austin, Travis Co. 8254
Lupinus texensis, near Llano, Llano Co. 7861
Lupinus texensis, Emma Long Park, Austin, Travis Co. 8262
Lupinus texensis, Enchanted Rock Natural Area, Llano Co. 5349
Lupinus texensis and Castilleja indivisa, near Llano, Llano Co. 7907
Lupinus texensis and Castilleja indivisia, near Brenham, Washington Co. 2021
Click Here to see white versions L. texensis.
| Scientific Name | Lupinus texensis | USDA PLANTS Symbol | LUTE |
| Common Name | Texas Bluebonnet | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 26133 |
| Family | Fabaceae (Pea) | Wildflower Center Ref. | Click Here |
| Description | Habitat: Gravelly, sandy, usually calcareous soils; hillsides, pastures, brush; common along roadsides. Plant: Erect, hairy annual 6 to 16 inches tall, branched from base, branches more or less decumbent. Leaves: Alternate mostly basal leaves divided into 5 (rarely 7) oblanceolate leaflets each up to 1-inch long with pointed tips. Inflorescence: Numerous flowers in raceme with a silvery-white tip, 6 or more inches long; each blossom 5/8-inch long, 5 petals, blue to blue/purple (sometimes white) banner with white spot near base, becoming reddish after pollination. Bloom Period: February to May. 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, and "Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country" by Marshall Enquist. Note: This species looks very similar to another, L. carnosus, but this species' inflorescence is more conspicuous, longer, more congested with blossoms, and the tip more pointed; and the leaflets have more pointed tips. This species is more generally distributed in the southern 2/3 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