Germania Today | Spring 2021

Texas bluebonnets A few facts about

The Texas Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis) has been the state flower of Texas since 1901 and holds a special place in any Texan’s heart. They are hardy and rugged, yet beautiful flowers that blanket roadsides, pastures, and meadows across the state every spring. Bluebonnets begin their lives as small, gravel-like seeds that can lay dormant for months and sometimes years before seedlings emerge. They usually sprout in October and grow slowly through the winter before rapidly growing and blossoming in the spring. They are well adapted to the unpredictable Texas winters and hold up well to frost and freezing. After germinating, their roots dig deep into the soil where they are protected from the cold. As their name suggests, bluebonnets are almost always blue. However, if you’ve ever seen them in shades of white, pink, or even maroon (which are known as ‘Texas Maroon’ or ‘Alamo Fire’ bluebonnets), you know that they can come in a variety of colors. This is due to slight genetic variations that can occur, which usually don’t last for long in the wild. If you spot one, consider yourself lucky! While the term “bluebonnet” can refer to many different species of flowers across the southwest, there are three subspecies that we consider the “Texas State Flower:” the titular Texas bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis), the sandyland bluebonnet (Lupinus subcarnosus), and

their lifecycle in certain areas and leave large bald patches in an otherwise beautiful field. Bluebonnets are for all Texans to enjoy, so it’s important to leave them undisturbed. Bluebonnet safety precautions Many of the areas you will travel to in pursuit of bluebonnets can be very rural. Always follow safety precautions and be careful when leaving the road. Find a safe place to park and obey any posted signs. DO NOT trespass and only venture onto private property if you have the owner ’s permission. Bluebonnet fields may be beautiful on the surface but can be potentially dangerous below. Because these flowery fields can be so dense, they often provide shelter to animals like snakes. Be cautious when moving around and through these areas, especially if you plan on crouching or sitting for a photo. Our Texas State Flower is beautiful but can be deadly. That’s right, bluebonnets are actually toxic to both humans and animals when ingested. This is yet another good reason to avoid picking these flowers! If you’re exploring the bluebonnet trail with children or pets, make sure to keep an eye on them. Finally, never travel alone off the beaten path. Take a travel buddy with you or at the very least, make sure someone knows where you are and when you plan to return. Hit the bluebonnet trail Bluebonnet season is one of the most exciting, beautiful, and scenic experiences of spring in Texas. You can become a part of this incredible tradition by planning your road trip today! And remember, as tempting as it may be, don’t pick the wildflowers. Take photos, not flowers! Hitting the bluebonnet trail? Share your photos with us by tagging Germania Insurance into your bluebonnet photos for a chance to be featured on our social media!

the Big Bend bluebonnet (Lupinus havardii). Is it illegal to pick bluebonnets in Texas?

You may have heard the rumor that it is illegal to pick bluebonnets in Texas. The truth is, it’s a little more complicated than that. While it isn’t technically illegal to pick bluebonnets, wandering onto private property to do so is. On public property, you may not be breaking any laws by picking a bluebonnet, but wildflower experts ask that you refrain from doing so. Picking one or two flowers may not be too damaging, but if everyone did the same, we could actually disrupt

8 | Germania Today

Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online