News and Events

News and announcements from our committee chairs, board members, and chapter leaders. Subscribe to our mailing list to stay up to date. For chapter news, visit Chapters. If you are looking for a calendar of events, see our Events Calendar.

  • Chapter or Committee

September 8th 2026 Guadalupe Chapter Meeting

The Guadalupe September 8, 2026 membership meeting will be held at First Presbyterian Church. A Social with “finger food” will start at 6:30 PM. No speaker is planned. The business meeting will include an in-depth discussion of plans for the chapter plant sales on September 26, 2026 at First Presbyterian

Read More »
Collin County

Neither Hops Nor Ash: Getting to Know Ptelea trifoliata

This tough, host plant with unique samaras is more than an “informal” understory tree. Ptelea trifoliata is one of those native plants that at first glance is easy to misunderstand. One of its common names is Wafer Ash, but it is not a true ash. The other popular common name

Read More »
Collin County

Prosper Prairie Walk – April 30th

Join the NPSOT-Collin County Chapter for a chapter-led native plant walk through the prairie at the Raymond Community Park in Prosper on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 6:45 PM. The walk will be led by Melanie Schuchart. Plan on about one hour, though participants are welcome to leave earlier if needed. Location (Updated): Do not use

Read More »
Boerne

Boerne Chapter Meeting May 5

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Michele Fissel, who will be sharing the importance of Texas wild rice (Zizania texana) and its four species. Texas wild rice is a member of the genus Zizania, a native grain to the North American continent. The genre has historically been of importance to

Read More »
Lakes and Pines

BE SEED MINDED!

Native Plant Seed Library Initiative – The Lakes and Pines Chapter is partnering with the Mineola Memorial Library to create a local native plant seed library. By collecting and donating native plant seeds, you help preserve local plant diversity and expand access to plants that support pollinators, wildlife, and healthy

Read More »
Lakes and Pines

May 6 – Lakes & Pines Chapter Meeting: “How Native Vegetation Creates Reptile and Amphibian Habitat” presented by Shelby Rodriguez-Edward, TPWD Wildlife Biologist

Maintaining native vegetation supports biodiversity, soil and water quality, and preserving the ecological conditions necessary for reptiles and amphibians. Shelby Rodriguez-Edwards, District Wildlife Biologist for TP&W, will discuss how native vegetation creates reptile and amphibian habitat.

Read More »
Fredericksburg

Designing for Maintenance with Paula

In 2009 Paula Stone bought 10 acres of worn out land on the edge of Fredericksburg. The vision this avid native plant gardener had was not what she saw – a land littered with tires, washing machines and golf balls – but of one that incorporated the natural beauty and life of Texas.

Read More »
State

Coming Soon: Annual Member Contests

Annual member contests are a tradition at the Native Plant Society of Texas. Once again this year we will have contests in photography, short videos and chapter newsletters. Winners will be recognized at our fall symposium. We will let you know later when the time comes for submitting your entries.

Read 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