Is It Illegal to Pick Bluebonnets in Texas?

Fields of Blue Bonnets are One of the Most Beautiful Sights When Driving Throughout Texas.

I remember when I had just moved to the south and I saw a beautiful blue field. I saw multiple cars pulled over and people were taking photos in the field. Just a beautiful sea of blue and when I finally got close to this flower I thought to myself "How beautiful would these be in a vase at home?". My friend who is a native Texan said "Don't pick it it's illegal."

Is it Illegal to Pick a Bluebonnet Flower Off of the Side of the Road?

Many Texans have heard this and have never questioned it. I mean why would we? It makes sense right? In California, you can't pick a poppy off of the side of the road, or so I thought. There is no law protecting the California Poppy specifically. However, where it gets tricky is that it is illegal to remove any plants from a property that a person does not own. So, all the natural California poppies can't be plucked unless they grow in the land that you own. Does the same apply to Texas?

There is No Law Protecting Bluebonnets in the Lonestar State.

According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, there is no specific law that prohibits picking bluebonnets however picking any flower on a property that you do not own is illegal due to trespassing laws. It is also against the law to destroy any plant life in any Texas State Park.

Just Because You Can Doesn't Mean You Should.

TakeCareofTexas.org does urge Texans not to disrupt the natural beauty "Many of the wildflowers growing on the side of the road are annuals, which means they won’t grow back if they are picked or trampled before they can seed. Therefore, the Texas Department of Transportation discourages taking pictures among the wildflowers if doing so will damage them. The agency also discourages picking the bluebonnets or other plants. It’s best for everyone to leave the flowers to grow for everyone to enjoy."