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Native Plant Society of Texas

We’re looking for writers

NPSOT Archive

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The Native Plant Society is looking for a few new writers for its website. Writing for us is a blast, but it also requires some skills. Here are the basics.

  • You enjoy learning about native plants, gardening with native plants, or the value of native plants to wildlife.
  • You can explain things to a beginner with clarity and ease.
  • You enjoy writing.
  • Keeping up with native plants is part of your average day.
  • Bonus points (but not required): You have graphics or video skills.
  • No knowledge of computers or coding is required.
  • And no, sorry, but right now we do not have funds to pay you.

Send us an email to write@npsot.org. Include your story that you think fits with our site, or alternatively tell us what you would like to write about. We can give you an assignment if you don’t have something you would like to write about. Do not attach a resume.

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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: Bill Hopkins

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