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Native Plant Society of Texas

South Texas Chapter

Know Your Coastal Bend Natives

Know Your Coastal Bend Natives
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Photos by James Coquat
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Blackbrush Acacia–Vachellia rigidula
Blackbrush Acacia–Vachellia rigidula

Prairie Nymph–Herbertia lahue
Prairie Nymph–Herbertia lahue

Pearl Milkweed–Matelea reticulata
Pearl Milkweed–Matelea reticulata

Huisache–Vachellia farnesiana
Huisache–Vachellia farnesiana

Climbing Milkweed–Funastrum cynanchoides
Climbing Milkweed–Funastrum cynanchoides

Agarita–Berberis trifoliolata
Agarita–Berberis trifoliolata

Colima–Zanthoxylum fagara
Colima–Zanthoxylum fagara

Flameflower–Phemeranthus aurantiacus
Flameflower–Phemeranthus aurantiacus

Nakedstem Alkaliweed–Cressa nudicaulis
Nakedstem Alkaliweed–Cressa nudicaulis

Texas ebony–Ebenopsis ebano
Texas ebony–Ebenopsis ebano

Spice Lily–Manfreda maculosa (Stalk with flowers)
Spice Lily–Manfreda maculosa (Stalk with flowers)

Tropical Royalblue Waterlily–Nymphaea elegans
Tropical Royalblue Waterlily–Nymphaea elegans

Photos by Cameron Pratt
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Bindweed heliotrope–Heliotropium convolvulaceum

Pink mint–Stachys drummondii

Scrambled eggs–Corydalis micrantha

Photos by Dick Klopshinske
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Spring Ladies Tresses Orchid–Spiranthes vernalis

Horse Crippler–Echinocactus texensis

Passion Vine–Passiflora foetida

Golden bush lichen–Teloschistes chrysophthalmus

Purple Pleat Leaf–Eustylis purpurea

Senorita Water Lily–Nymphaea elegans

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