One burning Texas question

Country music sweetheart Kacey Musgraves unwittingly started a debate last week over the legality of … picking the state flower.

Why it matters: Bluebonnets are sacred in Texas, and some people are told from childhood that it's illegal to pick them. (It isn't, as long as you aren't on private property.)

Driving the news: Musgraves, who grew up in the East Texas city of Golden, shared a photo on Instagram last week of herself holding a bluebonnet bunch.

The intrigue: Her comments section filled up with traumatized Texans who grew up believing picking bluebonnets is illegal in the state.

• "Wonder what the world would be like if people just used Google to realize it's not illegal to pick bluebonnets 🤣," one commenter said.
• "But for some reason I thought it was my whole life too 🤨," Musgraves replied.

Friction point: The post also sparked a debate in the comments over the ethics of picking bluebonnets.

• One person shared that the flowers have a long germination process.
• "Just because it's legal doesn't mean that it's the right thing to do," they wrote.

Reality check: Picking, cutting or destroying any plant life at state and national parks is illegal.

📬 Time for you to weigh in. Reply to this email and let us know your take on this very important topic.

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