Budding Bluebonnets

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1. The bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis) is the state flower of Texas. Each spring this native wildflower pops up along the roadside of many highways and streets. It is known and welcomed by many people of the Lone Star State. This wildflower of Texas marks the beginning of spring and warmer weather for the state. However, these wildflowers must interact with many forces before they show their beautiful blossoms.

2. Like most plants, a Texas bluebonnet begins as a seed under a blanket of soil. When the time is right, the outer coat of the seed cracks to release a tiny root tip. As the root tip begins to grow downward, the stem will begin to grow and push upward. How does the bluebonnet root know which way is down? How does the stem know which way to stretch to reach sunlight? The answer is geotropism. This property of plants allows them to orient their growth with the direction of gravity.

3. A force is a push or a pull, and gravity is the force of attraction between objects. For plants and for people, the most powerful pull is their attraction to the planet Earth. Gravity pulls everything towards the center of the planet. Geotropism allows plants to orient themselves along the force of gravity. Roots bend to grow down with gravity’s pull, while stems bend to grow up against it.

4. Having the stem growing in the right direction is just the first step. Texas bluebonnets use the energy stored in the seed to grow. The stem must beat the force of gravity and the weight of the soil covering it to reach sunlight. This is actually a greater achievement than most people realize. The growing seedling creates an upward force. This push must overcome more than just the downward pull of gravity on the young plant. The soil covering the seed is also being pulled down by gravity. This creates additional resistance to the seedling’s growth which must be overcome.

5. Once the young seedling has broken through the heavy soil, the fight is not over yet. Its stem must be strong in order to support the leaves and beautiful flowers that are soon to follow. All plant cells are surrounded by a cell wall which gives them strength and structure. Cell walls alone cannot give the plant enough strength to support the heavy blossoms. Plants use the force of water pushing against their cell walls for additional support. This is called turgor pressure. The bluebonnet brings water in through its root, up through the stem, and into cells throughout the plant. As more water enters the cell, turgor pressure increases. The water exerts more force on the inside of the cell walls, making them stiffer and stronger. When a plant starts to dry out, turgor pressure decreases and the plant wilts, or becomes floppy. When water returns, it will reenter the cells. Turgor pressure will make the stem and leaves strong and upright again.

6. As spring arrives, bluebonnets will begin to break through the soil once more. Think of the amazing journey the seeds have already taken. The energy used to break through the soil to the surface is enormous. The effect of turgor pressure and response to geotropism are a powerful display of natural forces. Keep watch for the bluebonnet as you drive along the roads of the Lone Star State. This flower is a wild and beautiful reminder of the ways that nature is at work around us.