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Native Plant Society of Texas

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Collin County June Meeting – Aquatic Plants of Texas

Aquatic Plants

June 3 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Join us for our June 3rd chapter program, either in person at the Heard Museum in McKinney or virtually via Zoom. Our speaker will Ryan O’Hanlon, presenting on “Aquatic Plants of Texas“. Please note: There will be no video recording available on our YouTube channel of the June meeting.

Note: Attached is the list of species that Ryan covered in the meeting.

Species List NPSOT_CollinCo.Download
Aquatic Plants

This presentation will explore the diverse and essential native aquatic plants found in Texas. We will introduce and identify key native species, such as pickerelweed, white water lily, giant bulrush, and eelgrass. A key focus will be on how to differentiate between similar species. For example, we’ll compare the native pickerelweed and the exotic water hyacinth, and provide tips on identifying characteristics like leaf shape, growth patterns, and flower structure.

🌿 Pre-Meeting Garden Walk – Join Us Early! 🌿

Before the meeting, join us for a guided walk through the Heard Gardens. Our schedule is as follows:

  • 5:45 – Gather in Laughlin Hall for Garden Walk
  • 6:00 – Garden Walk begins
  • 6:30 – Zoom opens for virtual attendees
  • 6:45 – Garden Walk concludes
  • 7:00 – Meeting begins with a brief chapter update from President Rodney Thomas
  • 7:15 – Ryan O’Hanlon’s presentation

Our meetings are open to the public and you can join us in person at the Heard Museum’s Laughlin Hall, south entrance to the building, or online via Zoom using the following details:

Zoom Link: https://tinyurl.com/yn85nbzd

Meeting ID: 885 5459 6572 / Passcode: 571904

Ryan earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University, College Station. Currently he serves as the Lead Aquatic Horticulturalist for Stonefly Aquatic Nursery and as a board member for the Texas Aquatic Plant Management Society (TAPMS). Outside of work Ryan can be found with his wife and three kids running around the house or around a pond.

Heard Museum Website

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 four host chapters (New Braunfels, Lindheimer, Guadalupe, and the Hill Country chapters) are located in one or both of the ecoregions above. However, the eastern portion of Guadalupe County also falls within the Post Oak Savanna ecoregion. Annual rainfall averages 35 to 45 inches, with higher averages to the east. A wide variety of hardwood trees are found, including several species of oaks, elms, and in the Bastrop area, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Grasses and forbs dominate in the open savannas, with most common grass being little bluestem. Ranching, agriculture, and fire suppression have allowed woody species to encroach on the once-open savannas.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason