Is it Illegal to pick Bluebonnets or not?

[possumburg]

I have always heard that it is illegal to pick Bluebonnets in Texas. But I just read that it is a myth.( http://snopes.com/legal/bluebonnets.asp ). So I just wanted to see what you guys have to say about it.

[Luck_of_the_Draw]

Real men don't pick flowers.

[m'gobo]

[TurkeyTracker]

Not on private land with landowner permission. Might be illegal on public land since that is for everyones enjoyment, not everyones abuse. Just my $0.02.

[Audra]

Each Texas springtime brings flowers to fields and roadsides and a question to the minds of nature lovers - is it really illegal to pick bluebonnets?
The answer is no - there is no law against picking our State Flower. However, there are laws against criminal trespass so make sure you're not on private property when you stop to take your annual kids-in-the-bluebonnets photo.

There are laws against damaging or destroying rights-of-way and government property - so pick a few flowers, but don't dig up clumps of them and don't drive your vehicle into the midst of them. Remember, Mother Nature and in many cases, your fellow Texans, scattered wildflower seeds along medians and roadways so that everyone could enjoy spring flowers.

For the safety of yourself and others, as well as to limit your ticketability:

There are laws against impeding traffic - so be careful about slowing down to enjoy the view. Pick areas with light traffic conditions for stopping.

Signal before leaving or entering the roadway.

Park off the roadway (off of improved shoulders), parallel to the road in the direction of traffic, on the same side of the roadway that the flowers are on. Don't walk or run across lanes of traffic to get to the flowers.

Obey signs that prohibit parking on a particular stretch of roadway.

And remember that in addition to a ticket, snakes and fire ants also could put more blue in your day than you bargained for.

Taken from http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/directo...n/pr032602.htm

[Dusty Britches]

it is not illegal, just bad manners. pick all you want on private land - as long as you have permission to access the property.

I also heard on the radio a few months ago that if you drive onto bluebonnets located in the public right of way, the state could ticket you or charge you with destruction of public property.

[Coon]

Way to go Audra.

[jbamburg]

Real men don't pick flowers.[ATTACH]28518[/ATTACH]

Good one.

[Landrover]

Not illegal!

[txdukklr]

dang i was going to turn in my ex . . .

i have pics to prove it!

[possumburg]

Thanks Audra that is some good info. Not that I am planning on picking any, I just thought it was interesting that so many think it is illegal, and was curious as to what the law actually said. Thanks all.