By Cheryl Conley
Lake Creek Nature Preserve
Spring is here, and there’s nothing more beautiful than the Texas landscape, where a breathtaking transformation unfolds this time of year. The hills and fields are painted with a vibrant tapestry of wildflowers, where the bluebonnets—our state flower—reign supreme. Miles of roadways are lined with these iconic flowers, inviting everyone to pause and admire the beauty of a Texas spring.
In 1901, there was a bit of a “flower war” in the Texas Legislature, which best describes the process of selecting the state flower. The contenders for the title were the bluebonnet, the cotton boll, and the prickly pear cactus blossom. Arguments were made that highlighted the merits of each flower, but the National Society of Colonial Dames of America successfully convinced the Texas Legislature to choose the bluebonnet—a name that paid homage to the many brave Texas pioneer women. The name comes from the shape of the flower, which resembles the bonnets worn by pioneer women.
There are actually six different species of bluebonnets, all native to Texas, but Lupinus texensis is the most well-known. All six species are considered the state flower. Most bluebonnets are blue, but due to genetic mutations, you might also find them in white, pink, and maroon. Texas A&M calls the maroon flowers “Aggie bonnets.”
If ingested, all parts of bluebonnets are poisonous—especially the seeds and pods. In humans, ingesting the seeds can cause nervous system issues, up to and including death. In animals, bluebonnets are moderately toxic and can cause gastrointestinal upset, lethargy, tremors, agitation, and seizures.
Lady Bird Johnson, wife of President Lyndon Johnson, played a big role in the appreciation and visibility of bluebonnets and other native plants in Texas. She grew up in East Texas and fell in love with the beauty of the state, especially the wildflowers. In 1965, as First Lady, she campaigned for national beautification. The Beautification Act of 1965 was a result of her efforts. The legislation called for control of outdoor signage along the nation’s Interstate System and the existing federal-aid primary system. It also called for certain junkyards to be removed or screened from view and focused on improving the appearance of highways by planting native wildflowers and trees. In 1982, along with actress Helen Hayes, she established the National Wildflower Research Center in Austin to protect and preserve North America’s native plants and natural landscapes. In 1997, the center was renamed the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. They have a very interesting and informative website at https://www.wildflower.org.
The most significant factor in the proliferation of bluebonnets and other wildflowers is the work of the Texas Department of Transportation. In the 1930s, as part of a beautification program, the department started sowing bluebonnet seeds along state highways. In 1932, the Wildflower Program was officially established, and Jac Gubbels, a landscape architect, was hired to maintain, preserve, and encourage the planting of wildflowers and other native plants along the highways. In the mid-1930s, a policy was implemented to delay mowing until the wildflowers had gone to seed. Today, TxDOT’s Wildflower Program continues to maintain the wildflowers and sows about 30,000 pounds of seeds every year.
Texans are proud of their bluebonnets and all the other wildflowers in our state. Although there is no law against picking the flowers, picture-taking that damages the flowers—and picking them—is discouraged. Many flowers, including bluebonnets, are annuals, which means they only bloom for one season and then die. After flowering, they go to seed, which is how they multiply. If the flowers are trampled or picked and the plant dies, they won’t go to seed to return the following year.
In Texas, bluebonnets are more than just a flower. They are a true symbol of Texas pride and represent the natural beauty, resilience, and independent spirit of our state.