h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

In the entry it's stated that it is illegal to pick blue bonnets in Texas. This is an urban myth. This was corrected in a comment below the entry back in 2007 but was overlooked when the entry was updated in 2008.

I'd correct it by stating that while it is commonly believed that it is illegal to pick blue bonnets in Texas, there is no actual prohibition, else every precocious little girl dragged out to fields and roadsides across the state in spring would be ticketed as they invariably pick, (and sometimes try to eat) blue bonnets to the horror of their camera toting parents.

See http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/public_information/pr032602.htm

A2773244

I've changed that paragraph to this:

While it is commonly believed that it is illegal to pick blue bonnets in Texas, there is no actual prohibition, else every precocious little girl dragged out to fields and roadsides across the state in spring would be ticketed as they invariably pick, (and sometimes try to eat) blue bonnets to the horror of their camera- toting parents. So you won't do any harm by picking a few, but keep it reasonable. If you want a good supply of the flowers at home, buy a packet of bluebonnet seed. They can be found at many tourist shops and garden centres. Enjoy spring.

Perfect.

The Blue Bonnet section below that also mentions they're protected by state law. I'm searching now to find what, if any, protections they have, but I doubt there are any. I suspect that the blue bonnet's status is just a proclamation.

BRB

Nope, there are no specific protections for blue bonnets in the state codes. There WAS a prohibition from picking wild flowers and other plants, shrubs, trees, etc. from public property that dates back to 1903, but that was over ridden by a 1973 revision to the Texas Penal Code which " concerns the reckless damage and destruction of public property, which can be interpreted to include excessive removal or destruction of plant life. In other words, shoveling up stretches of topsoil to transplant wildflowers, a practice that is not uncommon, is certainly prosecutable"

So, while there is no specific protection for blue bonnets, they are protected by a nearly unanimous belief that there IS a law prohibiting it.

Also, blue bonnets are annuals and have to be reseeded each year, so it's better to leave them there.


(I'm going to copy and paste the above to the conversation linked to the entry.)

Thanks for your help in this Baron Grim, it's really appreciated.

Thanks too, to Gnomon, for sorting out the curating.

Happy to help.

OK, I've changed:

There are six varieties of bluebonnet that grow in Texas, and all are protected by state law.

to:

There are six varieties of bluebonnet that grow in Texas. They are not in fact protected by state law, but by a firm belief among Texans that such legal protection exists.

Excellent.