Lupinus texensis

Taxobox
name = "Lupinus texensis"


image_width = 240px
image_caption =
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Fabales
familia = Fabaceae
subfamilia = Faboideae
tribus = Genisteae
genus = "Lupinus"
species = "L. texensis"
binomial = "Lupinus texensis"
binomial_authority = Hook.

"Lupinus texensis" (common name Texas Bluebonnet) is a species of lupine which is endemic to Texas. With other related species of lupines also called bluebonnets, it is the state flower of Texas. [ [http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/main/5640669.html How did bluebonnets become state flower?] ]

It is a biennial plant which begins its life as a small gravel-like seed. The seed has a hard seed coat that must be penetrated by wind, rain and weather over the course of a few months (but sometimes several years). In the fall the bluebonnets emerge as small seedings with two cotyledons, and later a rosette of leaves that are palmately compound with 5-7 leaflets 3-6 cm long, green with a faint white edge and hair. Growth continues over the mild winter months and then in the spring will take off and rapidly grow larger before sending up a 20-40 cm tall plume of blue flowers (with bits of white and occasionally a tinge of pinkish-red).

It has been found in the wild with isolated mutations in other colors, most notably all-white flowers, pink, and maroon. These mutations have since been selectively bred to produce different color strains that are available commercially.

References

* [http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?315908 Germplasm Resources Information Network: "Lupinus texensis"]
* [http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/cgi/endemics_map_page2?code=K3062400 Texas Endemics: Distribution of "Lupinus texensis"]
* [http://www.sbs.utexas.edu/bio406d/images/pics/fab/lupinus_texensis.htm University of Texas at Austin: "Lupinus texensis"]