It’s definitely spring now in Central Texas and the wildflowers are out!

The change was sudden and large. Although the mornings are still a bit cool, the day is sunny and the temperature is in the 80s. If I didn’t know better I’d say it was hot!

I went out looking for wildflowers and was well-rewarded. When I first saw these, I thought the plant was a twist-leaf yucca, but upon closer inspection it looks like a wild onion. The flowers sit atop a 2 foot stalk. I’d never seen them before but I saw many today.

Wild Onion Flowers

This looks like a good year for bluebonnets (Lupinus texensis). They are the Texas State Flower.

We actually don’t have many on our property, but the ones we have are beautiful. They grow in the poorest, rockiest soil and are hardy little plants. I think blue flowers are rare in nature. It seems that yellows, oranges, reds, and whites are much more common.

Bluebonnets

These purple wildflowers caught my eye, but I don’t know what they are. Any ideas? They appear to be multiple small flowers surrounding a central part with spiky bits. They remind me of lantana but I don’t think that’s what they are.

Unknown Wildflower

These pretty white flowers are dewberry (Rubus flagellaris). These are quite common on our property and the berries are tasty. You can see an unopened bud in the lower right of the photograph.

I’m not sure what this is. I think it’s a day lily, but can anyone provide a positive identification? I like the way the sunlight is coming through the translucent petal. Is there a better color combination?

Unknown Wildflower