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Native Plant Society of Texas

Trinity Forks Chapter

Books

These are a few of our favorite books. If you have one you use, and it’s not listed, please use the “Contact Us” form to let us know about it!

 

Atlas of the Vascular Plants of Texas by B.L. Turner, H. Nichols, G. Denny, and O. Doron.  2003. Botanical Research Institute of Texas. 

A Beginner’s Handbook for Rural Texas Landowners, How to Live in the Country Without Spoiling It by Jim Stanley

A Field Guide to Texas Trees by B. Simpson. 1999. Taylor Trade Publishing. 

Bringing Nature Home by Douglas W. Tallamy.  2009. Timber Press

Butterfly Gardening for Texas by Geyata Ajilvsgi. 2013. Texas A&M University Press.

Common Texas Grasses by Frank W. Gould.  1978.  Texas A&M University Press

Field Guide to Common Texas Grasses by Stephen L. Hatch, Kelly C. Umphres & A. Jenet Ardoin. 2015. Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Series

Grasses of Southern Oklahoma and North Texas: a Pictorial Guide by Russell Stevens & Chuck Coffey with the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation.  www.noble.org, 580-223-5810

Guide to Texas Grasses by R. Shaw. 2012. Texas A&M University Press.

How to Grow Native Plants of Texas & the Southwest by Jill Nokes, University of Texas Press

Identification of Milkweeds in Texas, Jason Singhurst, Ben Hutchins, & Walter C. Holmes. Texas Parks & Wildlife and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 2015

Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (Natural World) by G. Miller  1991.  Voyageur Press.

Landscaping with Native Texas Plants by Sally Wasowski and Julie Ryan, 1985.Texas Monthly Press.

Native and Adapted Landscape Plants: an Earthwise Guide for Central Texas. 2009. 4th edition. Texas AgriLife Extension, City of Austin. Guide is online at http://www.austintexas.gov/watershed_protection/publications/document.cfm?id=198301

Native Texas Gardens: Maximum Beauty Minimum Upkeep by S & A Wasowski. 2003. Taylor Trade Publishing.

Native Host Plants for Texas Butterflies, A Field Guide by Jim Weber, Lynne Weber and Roland H Wauer. 2018. Texas A&M University Press.

Native Host Plants for Texas Moths, A Field Guide by Jim Weber & Lynne Weber. 2022. Texas A&M University Press

Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region by S & A Wasowski. 2003. Taylor Trade Publishing, 2nd edition

The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of our Most Essential Native Trees by Doug Tallamy. 2021. Timber Press

Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard by Doug Tallamy. 2020. The Timber Press, Inc.

Nature’s Best Hope (Young Readers’ Edition): A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard by Doug Tallamy. 2023. The Timber Press, Inc.

North Central Texas Wildflowers, Field Guide by Mary Curry (with guidance from Shirley Lusk), 2015, available from Amazon

Range Plants of North Central Texas, a Land User’s Guide to Their Identification, Value and Management by Ricky J. Linex 2014; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Weatherford, TX.

Remarkable Plants of Texas, Uncommon Accounts of our Common Natives by Matt Warnock Turner.  2009.  University of Texas Press

Shinner’s & Mahler’s Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas by G.M. Diggs, B.L. Lipscomb & R.J. O’Kennon. 1999. Botanical Research Institute of Texas, 1st ed. Online at http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm 

Texas Trees: A Friendly Guide by P. Leslie & P.W. Cox. 1988. Corona Pub Co; New edition. 

Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife by K. C. Bender 2009. Texas A&M Nature Guides   

Trees, Shrubs and Vines of the Texas Hill Country by J. Wrede. 2010. Texas A&M University Press; Revised edition.

Trees, Shrubs and Woody Vines: a Pictorial Guide by Russell Stevens & Chuck Coffey with the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, www.noble.org, 580-223-5810

Wanted! Mountain Cedars, Dead or Alive by Elizabeth McGreevy.  2021. Spicewood Publications

Wild Edible Plants of Texas by Charles Kane. 2016 & 2017. Lincoln Town Press

Wildflowers of Texas by G. Ajilvsgi. 2003.  Shearer Publishing, Revised edition.

Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason. 2018. Timber Press Field Guide.

Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country by M. Enquist. 1989.  Lone Star Botanical, 1st ed.

Your Remarkable Riparian, Owner’s Manual by Steve Nelle & Nueces River Authority. 2010. Nueces River Authority

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason