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The Rarely Lonesome BlueBonnet (from the series: Stigma & Style)

In horticultural terms the bluebonnet is a wild lupin (Lupinus texensis) which is also called the wolf flower, or sometimes buffalo clover. The Mexicans refer to it as the rabbit flower. It also happens to be the state flower of Texas, which in most US states would be no big deal, but in Texas it is. There is a persistent (untrue) rumor that it is actually illegal to pick bluebonnets

At one point there was a concerted attempt to sow bluebonnets in the grass at the side of the road throughout Texas, or at least many areas of East Texas. For that reason, in the spring between March and May the roadside are alive with bluebonnets and cars stop at the side of the road so families can take photos of their children amongst the blue carpets that have grown there.

But these carpets are not confined to the roadside. Drive around Texas in spring and you’ll encounter whole fields of blue, where the bluebonnet has spread its influence into field after field pasture land. Visit again three weeks later and you’ll notice that the carpet of blue has been rolled up and taken away.