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Native Plant Society of Texas

Boerne Chapter

Boerne Chapter Leadership Field Trip May 15

Members of the NPSOT Boerne leadership group recently enjoyed a fascinating field trip to the Cibolo Preserve, a remarkable 654-acre natural habitat laboratory and groundwater recharge area in the Texas Hill Country.

Founded by H.W. “Bill” Lende, the Cibolo Preserve protects a unique plant and animal environment while playing a critical role in recharging the Trinity Aquifer through fractures and caverns in its limestone creek bed. It was inspiring to learn more about the Preserve’s mission to maintain this special landscape in its natural state for educational, scientific, and charitable purposes.

Because access to the Preserve is limited to approved researchers and volunteers, we were especially grateful for the opportunity to visit and learn more about this hidden ecological treasure in our community.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this informative and inspiring visit possible, specifically Cibolo Preserve trustees Suzanne Young, Rufus Stephens, Clark Terrell, and Donna Taylor.

Visit the Cibolo Preserve website to learn more.

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