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Native Plant Society of Texas

Native seed legislation introduced

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Representative Mike Villareal of San Antonio has introduced two new bills in the state legislature which aim to increase the production of native seeds.

roadside-bluebonnetsHB 1135 would create a Native Seed Committee tasked with developing a ten-year plan to ratchet-up production of native seeds and their use in restoration projects. The committee would consist of the heads of state agencies, such as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas Department of Transportation, along with others including representatives of conservation organizations such as the Native Plant Society of Texas.

HB 1116 would create a Texas Native Seed Competitive Grant Program to help a qualifying entity, like a public university, with restoration projects at places like roadside construction projects that utilize native plants.

“I would describe this agenda as one trying to protect our natural heritage,” Villarreal has been quoted as saying.

In 2010, a similar effort was initiated called Texas Native Seeds, organized by private landowners, the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute South Texas Natives Project, and the Texas Department of Transportation. It aims to make native seeds available for restoration in South Texas.

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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: Bill Hopkins

About the Region

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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