Field ManualAll plants

Photo: Loadmaster (David R. Tribble), via Wikimedia CommonsLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0

Texas Bluebonnet

Lupinus texensis

Family: Fabaceae

  • Texas State Flower
  • Nitrogen-Fixing Legume

Pet & Human Safety

People: Not researchedPets: Toxic to pets

People: not researched yet.

Toxic to pets
Toxic to pets

Lupine (Lupinus) toxicity is well documented in general veterinary and rangeland toxicology literature: quinolizidine alkaloids, concentrated especially in the seeds, are a recognized cause of livestock poisoning ("lupinosis") across the genus, and this species' own academic profile page explicitly extends the warning to animals, not just people. Not covered by ASPCA's own small-animal-focused database or by NC State Extension, likely because this is a Texas-region native outside their usual coverage area rather than because it's been specifically cleared. Treat all parts, and especially the seeds, as a hazard for pets.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones

Grown as a cool-season annual, chiefly in Texas and the surrounding region; the official state flower of Texas

Mature size

Up to 60 cm (about 2 ft) tall; seed pods 2.5-4.2 cm long.

Where it comes from

Louisiana west to west Texas, south to San Luis Potosi in northern Mexico; in Texas, found mainly in the Blackland Prairie and Edwards Plateau

Soil & Drainage
Pruning & Flush Rhythm
Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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Anatomy & Guilds

Botanical Anatomy & Characteristics

How the flowers and leaves are built and which pollinators visit, where we have them.

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Field Doctor

Field Doctor

What can go wrong with this plant and what to do about it, where we have them.

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Vintage Plates

Vintage Plates

Old botanical drawings from public libraries are in the app, for plants where we have them.

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Sources

  1. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (University of Texas at Austin), Lupinus texensis
  2. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Toxic Plants of Texas (whole-genus reference; full species entries in the linked publication were not directly extracted for this guide)

How we choose sources

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