Texas Bluebonnet
Lupinus subcarnosus
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Loadmaster (David R. Tribble) This image (upload.wikimedia.org) was made by Loadmaster (David R. Tribble) . Email the author: David R. Tribble Also see my personal gallery at Google Photos (get.google.com)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Lupinus
- Species:
- Lupinus subcarnosus
- USDA Symbol:
- LUSU
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 40 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Butterflies:Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown following fire; fire can stimulate germination of hard-coated seeds in the soil seed bank.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to sandy prairies and open areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 7–14 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Scarification of hard seed coat greatly improves germination. Seeds may also be soaked in warm water overnight before sowing.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Scarify, then cold-moist stratify for 60 days.
Notes: Seeds may require light for optimal germination.
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Resents transplanting. | Requires scarification. | Requires soaking 24-48 hrs; discard floaters.