March 2013 18
Lupinus texensis
-Norman G. Flaigg
Wildflower Center
Slide Library
Lupinus havardii, the Big Bend Bluebonnet, also called the Havard or Chisos bluebonnet, is a tall beauty, the flower stalks reaching 3-4 feet high. The flower spikes can be up to 8 inches long, and are a deep blue with a small yellow spot giving a striking contrast. The leaves are palmate, but have seven finger-like leaflets instead of five. Found in the Trans-Pecos area of Texas and northern Mexico, this one is not well known, but gorgeous.
Lupinus concinnus, often called Annual lupine, is a small 2-6 inch bluebonnet from the Trans-Pecos west to California which has a reddish purple blooms and dark furry leaves. It looks very different from the standard roadside bluebonnets. But its pea-shaped flowers and palmate leaves show its relation to the more popular species.
Lupinus havardii
-Mrs. W.D. Bransford
Wildflower Center
Slide Library