Bluebonnet (Lupinus Subcarnosus) —Common Names:— Buffalo Clover Wolf flower   Bluebonnet is the state flower of Texas. Buy state flowers

Named for its color and resemblance to a woman's sunbonnet, the bluebonnet became the official state flower of Texas on March 7, 1901. It can be found in fields and along the roadsides throughout central and south Texas. Indians wove fascinating folk tales around them. The early-day Spanish priests gathered the seeds and grew them around their missions. This practice gave rise to the myth that the padres had brought the plant from Spain, but this is not true since the two predominant species of bluebonnets are found growing naturally only in Texas and at no other location in the world. Historian Jack Maguire wrote, that "The bluebonnet is to Texas what the shamrock is to Ireland, the cherry blossom to Japan, the lily to France, the rose to England and the tulip to Holland." There is a tale from the Comanche Nation that explains how this beautiful flower was gifted to them. There was a little girl, She-Who-Is-Alone, who lived with the Comanche. Their land was suffering from a drought, and no matter what the dancers did, there were still no rains. The Comanche believed that the Great Spirits felt that the people had become too selfish and for the rains to return, the Comanche had to offer a burnt sacrifice of their most valued possession. The people wanted to give the offering but could not agree to what the Great Spirits wanted. She-Who-Is-Alone knew exactly that the Great Spirits expected - the doll she loved so dearly. That night after everyone went to sleep, she went to the fire and offered her doll as a sacrifice. When the ashes cooled, she scattered them to the four corners of the earth. When the tribe arose the next morning, the hillside was covered with blue flowers, a sign of forgiveness from the Great Spirits. As they offered their thanks, the rains came and healed the earth. Bluebonnets, written by Julia D. Booth and Lora C. Crockett, became the State Flower Song on March 21, 1933. The Chappell Hill Bluebonnet Festival was named the official Bluebonnet Festival in Texas on May 7, 1997. That same day, the Legislature declared Ennis as the official Bluebonnet Trail of Texas and named it the Bluebonnet City of Texas. A pink bluebonnet, is a symbol for the struggle to survive and a memory of those who died so that Texas could be free. ********

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