Goodbye Bluebonnet: Texas Has Historic Changes Happen to State Flower

Spring is just around the corner here in Texas, but no one has seen the state flower this year, which is quite odd—the bluebonnet, according to KXAN. The bluebonnet, Texas's state flower, is a beautiful purple or blue species of the Lupinus genus,  found in the southwestern part of the country. It's known for the shape of its petals, which resemble the "bonnet" worn by women pioneers to shield themselves from the sun. Normally, you start to see the bluebonnets bloom at the very end of February through mid-March. However, Central Texas hasn’t seen many bluebonnets, raising questions like, "Where are the bluebonnets?"

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Texas’ Beloved Bluebonnet Flower Is No Longer the State Emblem?

Andrea DeLong-Amaya, the horticulture director at the Wildflower Center, stated that predicting the weather has been a challenge this year, making it even harder to predict the wildflower blooms across a large state like Texas. As Central Texas experiences a fair share of droughts this year, it will jeopardize the blooming of wildflowers like the bluebonnet.

Goodbye Bluebonnet: Texas Makes Historic Change to State Flower

The absence of bluebonnets in Texas is almost like never seeing a longhorn or having good barbecue again—it just can’t be! However, because bluebonnets usually germinate in the fall and grow throughout the winter, their blooms this spring could still be impressive. Texans should be prepared for some disappointment, though. While you may see a few bluebonnets along highways or in some yards, keep in mind that this year, bluebonnets may be more sporadic.

Is this the beginning of a decline for the state flower?