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Native Plant Society of Texas

Prairie Rose Chapter

January 2019 Newsletter

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JANUARY MEETING

A Friendly Reminder! We are looking forward to seeing you there!

January 28, 6 p.m. Citizens Center, 209 SW Barnard St., Glen Rose

To open our 2019 presentation schedule, Seth Hamby will share his research findings on the Comanche Peak prairie clover, Dalea reverchonii (Fabaceae), a plant endemic to our area of North Central Texas that is both globally and state imperiled.  

Seth received his BS in Wildlife, Sustainability and Ecosystem Sciences from Tarleton State University and is working on his Master’s degree in Agriculture and Natural Resource Science, also at Tarleton.  He founded the Prairie Oaks Master Naturalist chapter where a partnership with Tarleton State University now allows for college credit for students that complete the Texas Master Naturalist Training.  Seth also started the Bosque River Nature Center which boasts an all-Texas-native pollinator garden and prairie.

 

 

 

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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