Spring in the Lone Star State
Apr 11, 2012 by ODTUG
By Dianne Latiolais
It's spring and our Bluebonnets are in bloom here in the Lone Star State. Families hit the highways, tip-toeing through the medians, all risking life and limb to capture the annual picture of sitting in the blue wonder. This is a Texan tradition. But what you never see is anyone picking the flowers. Why? Because there's a tale known to all Texans that it is illegal to pick the state flower. Every Texan has heard this—it is drilled into our minds as children. Is this true? No, it is not illegal; it's just not respectable. No true Texan would pick the flower because it is special and we feel the need to protect it. Heck, we even mow around it if they pop into our yard!
Another legend about this wildflower is the Legend of the" Pink Bluebonnet." It's told that the original albino-white bonnet took on the pink hue when the river turned red from all the blood shed from the defenders of the Alamo. Then when the waters washed away the blood, they turned blue. What makes this more interesting is that the only "Pink Bluebonnets" found, still grow wild along the roadsides just south of downtown San Antonio.
Yes, we have pride the size of Texas—even for our flower. Enjoy the view, roll in them, and take your annual photo. Just don't pick ‘em.
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