Lupinus Havardii, Big Bend Bluebonnet

As its common name suggests, lupinus havardii is closely associated with Big Bend National Park in west Texas; it is the only lupine species found here, and its range is small, extending just a little way west, into Hudspeth county. This is also the tallest of around six Texas lupines, with the flowers held well above the leaves up to 4 feet high, on stout, ascending stems. The stems, and the lower surfaces of the leaves, have a covering of short hairs, pressed against the surfaces. Leaflets (around 0.7 inches long) are often folded up along the axis, and are pointed at the tip.

The inflorescence is a narrow, elongated cluster along the upper 4 to 8 inches of the stems. Flowers are a deep blue-purple, with a whitish-yellow patch at the center of the banner petal, flecked with darker yellow or brown, becoming red with age. A groove up the center of the banner extends to a notch at the top.