Flower profile

Lupines

Lupinus

Lupines (Lupinus) is a flowering plant in the Fabaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly March–May across the U.S.

★ Official state flower of Texas (1901)Native in the lower 48

Lupines is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Texas it's most often seen in bloom in March–April.

10states where USDA records it

32,351TX sightings*

156,160U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Texas

🏅

Texas's official state flower since 1901. Visit the Texas page → ^{Tex. Gov't Code § 3101.008} The 1901 resolution named Lupinus subcarnosus; in 1971 the Legislature extended it to all Texas bluebonnets, so this page covers the genus.

Quick look

Lupinus, commonly known as lupin, lupine, or regionally bluebonnet, is a genus of plants in the legume family Fabaceae. The genus includes over 199 species, with centres of diversity in North and South America. Smaller centres occur in North Africa and the Mediterranean. They are widely cultivated both as a food source and as ornamental plants, but are invasive to some areas.
From Wikipedia's article Lupinus, CC BY-SA 4.0.

It belongs to the Fabaceae family. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 10 states. ^{USDA PLANTS}
In Texas, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in March–April. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as purple. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as summer. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 2.2 ft. ^{USDA PLANTS}
iNaturalist has 32,351 research-grade sightings of it in Texas, ranking #4 among the 169 flowers on our Texas list. ^iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In Texas, most flowering sightings come in March–April.

Flowering records by month in Texas (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (9,486 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA): Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. ^{USFWS ECOS}
NatureServe: Unknown We couldn't find this name in NatureServe Explorer. ^NatureServe
Texas: n/a Texas's list is by species, so a whole genus isn't assessed. ^{31 TAC 69.8}

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peoplePoisonous to people

NC State Extension lists it as poisonous to humans (severity: low). Poisonous parts: seeds. Symptoms they list: “TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. Respiratory depression and slow heartbeat, sleepiness, and convulsions.” ^{NC State Extension}

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list, and NC State Extension doesn't flag it for pets.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records lupines in 10 states.

AKMEVTNHWAIDMTNDMNILWIMINYRIMAORNVWYSDIAINOHPANJCTCAUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDEAZNMKSARTNNCSCDCOKLAMSALGAHITXFL

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Lupines a high shade tolerance, high drought tolerance and low moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 5.7 to 7.5 and winter lows down to -38 °F.

Shade tolerance: High
Drought tolerance: High
Moisture use: Low
Soil textures it is adapted to: coarse, medium
Soil pH range: 5.7 to 7.5
Minimum temperature tolerated: -38 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum): 120
Annual precipitation range: 12 to 20 inches
Minimum root depth: 14 inches
Salinity tolerance: Low
Fertility requirement: Low
Growth rate: Slow
Lifespan: Long
Active growth period: Spring and Summer
Fruit or seed: Black · Summer to Fall
Can be propagated by: seed
Commercial availability: No Known Source

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for LUAL5. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Other scientific names (synonyms in USDA PLANTS): Lupinus acclivatatis, Lupinus adscendens, Lupinus aliesicola, Lupinus alexanderae, Lupinus annieae, Lupinus capitisamniculi, Lupinus calcicola, Lupinus clokeyanus, Lupinus flavopinum, Lupinus junipericola, Lupinus laxus, Lupinus lariversianus and 6 more.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 23 counties across 4 states; the most are in Nevada (8), New Mexico (8), Idaho (6).

Other Lupinus on Bloomipedia (5): Texas bluebonnet, Sundial lupine, Lupine (large-leaved lupine), Coulter's lupine, Nootka lupine.

More from the Fabaceae family (114 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): White clover, Red clover, Eastern redbud, Purple crownvetch, Bird's-foot trefoil, Partridge pea, White sweetclover, Common vetch.

More Texas flowers

Honey mesquite

Neltuma glandulosa

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🌼 Blooms in TX: March–June

Texas bluebonnet

Lupinus texensis

Native

🌼 Blooms in TX: March–April

Eastern redbud

Cercis canadensis

Native

🌼 Blooms in TX: February–March

Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile LUAL5.
iNaturalist, Lupinus: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
Wikipedia, Lupinus (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Tex. Gov't Code § 3101.008: Texas state flower.
Texas: Texas endangered and threatened plants (31 Tex. Admin. Code § 69.8), as listed by Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Texas: Texas noxious and invasive plant list (4 Tex. Admin. Code § 19.300(a)).
USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
Edibility and toxicity: NC State Extension.
Photo: Michelle W. （鍾偉瑋） via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.