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Lupinus havardii

Lupinus havardii S. Watson

Big Bend Bluebonnet, Big Bend Lupine, Havard Bluebonnet, Chisos Bluebonnet

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: luha

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Much taller than most bluebonnets, Big Bend or Havard bluebonnet grows 1-3 ft. high with the flowers on the upper 4-8 inches of the stem. The flowers of this winter annual are very deep blue with a lemon blotch. Palmate leaves are divided into seven leaflets.

The tall stems and showy flowers of L. havardii distinguish it from L. subcarnosus, a smaller, less showy species, which was originally designated as Texas' state flower (in 1901). In 1971, however, the state legislature designated all Lupinus species as the official state flower.

From the Image Gallery

36 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Fruit Type: Legume
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Leaf: Green

Bloom Information

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

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Distribution: Trans-Pecos, TX & n. Mex.
Native Habitat: Deserts; alluvial areas

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Alluvium or fine talus soils. Limestone-based, Gravelly, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Color, Desert landscape
Use Wildlife: Deer browse. Nectar-Bees, Browse, Nectar-insects
Warning: Plants in the genus Lupinus, especially the seeds, can be toxic to humans and animals if ingested. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person�s age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable because of their curiosity and small size. Toxicity can vary in a plant according to season, the plant�s different parts, and its stage of growth; and plants can absorb toxic substances, such as herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants from the water, air, and soil.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees
Special Value to Bumble Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Plant treated seed in the fall.
Seed Treatment: Scarification will hasten germination.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

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

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-1266 Collected 2009-04-18 in Presidio County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

1 collection(s) available in the Wildflower Center Seed Bank

Bibliography

Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Bibref 328 - Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

From the Archive

Wildflower Newsletter 1989 VOL. 6, NO.2 - Wildflower Network Operates in Louisiana, Wildflower Handbook Published, Researc...
Wildflower Newsletter 1990 VOL. 7, NO.2 - Preservation Blooms in Recreated Prairies, New Wildflower Center Prairie Welcome...

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2019-03-04
Research By: TWC Staff

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