Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_43.gif)
Sunday - March 14, 2004
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Laws, Wildflowers
Title: Bluebonnets and the law
Answered by: Sage Kawecki
QUESTION:
Is it illegal to pick Bluebonnets?ANSWER:
It is illegal to damage, or remove property from State lands. Loosely interpreted, this could include wildflowers, even bluebonnets, along the right-of-ways. However, law enforcement agents are mostly concerned about safety issues from cars pulling over to photograph the flowers and families placing themselves in close proximity to speeding traffic. Please respect our State flower by not picking them.
From the Image Gallery
More Plant Laws Questions
Possibility of transporting native seeds to Europe
February 03, 2011 - Hi, Is it possible to bring seeds for North American plants and wildflowers from the USA to Europe? I live in Italy and have many Italian friends who want me to bring seeds from America the next time ...
view the full question and answer
Native plant town ordinances in New Mexico/Chihuahuan Desert
November 17, 2005 - I'm interested in city/town landscape ordinances in the New Mexico/Chihuahuan Desert area. What towns do you think do a good job using native plants?
view the full question and answer
Law against planting cottonwood in Madison WI
October 08, 2013 - I was told that there is an ordinance against planting cottonwood trees in Madison, WI. Is this true?
view the full question and answer
Smarty Plants on plant patents
January 28, 2005 - How would I go about patenting a plant?
view the full question and answer
Avoiding cutting field of wildflowers in Pearland, TX
October 24, 2008 - How does one get a "wildflower pass" to avoid having to cut a GORGEOUS field of native flowers? Our church in Pearland has a couple of acres that we are required to keep cut, but it's currently aw...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |