Native Plant Database

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Lupinus subcarnosus (Sandyland bluebonnet)
Carr, Bill

Lupinus subcarnosus Hook.

Sandyland bluebonnet, Texas bluebonnet

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

USDA Symbol: LUSU

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Texas bluebonnet is a 6-16 in. winter annual. The bright-blue, pea-like flowers have a white center which turns purple with age or pollination. These showy flowers occur in a loose terminal spike. Leaves are palmately divided into five leaflets.

Texas Bluebonnets mixed with various paintbrushes adorn roadsides, a colorful sign of spring in central Texas.

 

From the Image Gallery

View herbarium specimen from Harry T. Cliffe Bexar Regional Herbarium.

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Complexity: Palmate
Size Class: 0-1 ft.
Breeding System: Hermaphroditic
Fruit Type: Legume

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr

Distribution

USA: LA , TX
Native Distribution: S.c. TX, scattered to n. Hidalgo Co.
Native Habitat: Sandy fields; roadsides
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Description: Deep sands.

Propagation

Description: Plant seeds in the fall.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Scarification will hasten germination but is not absolutely necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes
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Mr. Smarty Plants says

Question: I live in Grimes County, Texas on the eastern edge of the Blackland Prairie. A few years ago my hillside of Bluebonnet seed was harvested. I was told it was a rare 'black gumbo' variety of bluebonnet. Is there such a variety?
click here to view the full question and answer

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

* Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
* Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Lupinus subcarnosus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Lupinus subcarnosus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Lupinus subcarnosus

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-12-13
Research By: TWC Staff

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