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Native Plant Society of Texas

Clear Lake Chapter

Announcing the New Seedlings Group

UPDATE: Seedlings will not meet in April while we focus on other chapter activities.

Beginning in May 2026, we’ll meet twice a month:

  • Before the chapter meeting, 5–6 p.m. in the Bayou Building at UHCL (same room as meeting—check monthly announcement)
  • Fourth Friday, 1–3 p.m., open classroom in North Office Annex 2 at UHCL (near Entrance 3, Middlebrook Drive)

If you love collecting native plant seeds, cleaning seeds, and giving them back to the community through seed libraries and other activities, then the Seedlings group is for you! If you want to learn how to do any of these things, this group is also for you!

The Seedlings group was formed in mid-February and meets every Friday from 1–3 p.m. in the open classroom in North Office Annex 2, UHCL, near Entrance 3 (Middlebrook Drive).

For further information, and to join the group email list, contact Cheryl Folkes or Linda Kuhn.

Related Posts

Clise up of Dayflower with text reading Plant of the Month

Plant of the Month: Dayflower

March 9, 2026

Our plant of the month for March 2026 has bright‑blue “butterfly wings.”
Botanical name: Commelina erecta
Common name(s): Dayflower, White Mouth Dayflower, Slender Dayflower, Widow’s Tears

About the Region

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason