Native Plants

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

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Sunday - March 14, 2004

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Laws, Wildflowers
Title: Bluebonnets and the law
Answered by: Sage Kawecki

QUESTION:

Is it illegal to pick Bluebonnets?

ANSWER:

It is illegal to damage, or remove property from State lands. Loosely interpreted, this could include wildflowers, even bluebonnets, along the right-of-ways. However, law enforcement agents are mostly concerned about safety issues from cars pulling over to photograph the flowers and families placing themselves in close proximity to speeding traffic. Please respect our State flower by not picking them.

From the Image Gallery

Texas bluebonnet
Lupinus texensis