NLCP Plant Lists

Name

Growth Form

Height

Spread

Sun

Leaf Retention

Wildlife Interest

Seasonal Interest

Water Use

Soil Type

Wildlife Benefit

Lacey Oak

Quercus laceyi

Tree

20 –

50 ft

20 –

25 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fall Color, Nuts

Yellow

Very Low, Low

Rocky, Limestone, Shallow, Dry

Birds, Small Mammals, Deer

Laurel Oak

Quercus laurifolia

Tree

40 –

80 ft

30 –

40 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Semi Evergreen

Nuts, Forage

Yellow

Medium, High

Sand, Loam, Clay, Well Drained, Moist

Caterpillars, Birds, Small Mammals

Bur Oak

Quercus macrocarpa

Tree

60 –

80 ft

30 –

50 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Nuts, Larval Host

Yellow, Green, Brown

Medium

Clay, Limestone, Calcareous, Deep, Moist, Dry

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals

Blackjack Oak

Quercus marilandica

Tree

14 –

45 ft

14 –

45 ft

Part Shade

Deciduous

Nuts, Forage, Nectar, Larval Host, Nesting Material

White, Red, Green

Low

Sand, Gravelly, Dry

Browsers, Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Deer

Swamp Chestnut Oak

Quercus michauxii

Tree

48 –

100 ft

15 –

40 ft

Part Shade

Deciduous

Fall Color, Nuts, Larval Host, Nesting Material

Yellow

Medium

Loam, Clay, Rich, Deep, Well Drained, Moist

Caterpillars, Birds, Small Mammals, Deer

Mohr’s Oak

Quercus mohriana

Tree

15 –

20 ft

15 –

20 ft

Part Shade

Semi Evergreen

Nuts, Nesting Material

Red

Low

Sand, Loam, Limestone, Caliche, Dry

Birds, Small Mammals

Chinkapin Oak

Quercus muehlenbergii

Tree

45 –

110 ft

50 –

70 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fall Color, Nuts, Nectar, Larval Host

Yellow, Green, Brown

Medium

Rocky, Limestone, Calcareous, Well Drained, Dry

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Hummingbirds

Water Oak

Quercus nigra

Tree

80 –

100 ft

50 –

60 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fall Color, Nuts, Pollen, Larval Host, Nesting Material

Yellow

High

Sand, Loam, Clay, Deep, Poor Drainage, Moist

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals

Willow Oak

Quercus phellos

Tree

30 –

60 ft

40 –

60 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fall Color, Nuts, Larval Host

Yellow

Medium, High

Sand, Loam, Clay, Moist

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Nectar Insects

Monterrey Oak

Quercus polymorpha

Tree

70 –

80 ft

50 –

60 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Semi Evergreen

Nuts

Green

Medium, High

Sand, Loam, Clay, Rocky, Poor Drainage

Birds, Small Mammals, Deer

Shumard Oak

Quercus shumardii

Tree

30 –

120 ft

50 –

60 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fall Color, Nuts, Larval Host

White, Green

Medium

Sand, Loam, Clay, Limestone, Caliche, Deep, Moist, Dry

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals

Post Oak

Quercus stellata

Tree

40 –

50 ft

30 –

40 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nuts, Forage, Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host, Nesting Material

Yellow, Brown

Low, Medium

Sand, Loam, Gravelly, Well Drained, Moist, Dry

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Deer

Live Oak

Quercus virginiana

Tree

40 –

50 ft

60 –

60 ft

Sun

Semi Evergreen

Nuts, Larval Host

Yellow

Medium

Sand, Loam, Clay, Poor Drainage

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals

Purple Groundcherry

Quincula lobata

Groundcover, Herbaceous

.25 –

.5 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Berry, Pollen

White, Blue, Purple

Low

Sand, Loam, Gravelly, Well Drained, Dry

Birds, Small Mammals, Bees

Crucillo

Randia obcordata

Shrub

3 –

6 ft

3 –

4 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fruit, Forage, Nectar, Pollen, Nesting Material

Yellow

Low

Sand, Loam, Clay, Rich, Well Drained

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Deer, Bees

Bristly Buttercup

Ranunculus hispidus var. nitidus

Herbaceous, Wetland

1 –

2 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

Yellow

Medium, High

Poor Drainage, Moist, Mud

Butterflies, Nectar Insects, Bees

Big Buttercup

Ranunculus macranthus

Herbaceous

.5 –

3 ft

.5 –

.5 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar, Flowers

Yellow

Medium, High

Sand, Loam, Moist

Nectar Insects

Mexican Hat

Ratibida columnifera

Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

1 –

1.5 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Seeds, Forage, Nectar, Pollen, Flowers

Yellow

Medium

Sand, Loam, Clay, Caliche, Calcareous, Well Drained, Moist, Dry

Browsers, Butterflies, Birds, Nectar Insects, Deer, Bees

Naked Mexican Hat

Ratibida peduncularis

Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

1 –

3 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Seeds, Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host

Yellow

Low

Sand, Clay

Caterpillars, Butterflies, Birds, Moths

Camphor Daisy

Rayjacksonia phyllocephala

Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

1 –

3 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Seeds, Nectar, Pollen

Yellow

Medium

Sand, Well Drained, Moist, Saline

Butterflies, Birds, Bees

Carolina Buckthorn

Rhamnus caroliniana

Tree

12 –

15 ft

8 –

12 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Berry, Fall Color, Forage, Nectar, Larval Host

White, Yellow, Green

Low

Sand, Loam, Clay, Rocky, Calcareous, Well Drained, Moist

Browsers, Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Nectar Insects

Aromatic Sumac

Rhus aromatica

Shrub

6 –

12 ft

4 –

6 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Berry, Nectar, Larval Host

Yellow

Low

Loam, Clay, Rocky, Limestone, Caliche, Dry

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals

Flameleaf Sumac

Rhus copallinum var. lanceolata

Tree

12 –

20 ft

10 –

15 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Fruit, Fall Color, Forage, Nectar, Larval Host

White, Yellow, Green

Low, Medium

Clay, Gravelly, Limestone, Calcareous, Well Drained, Dry

Browsers, Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Bees

Smooth Sumac

Rhus glabra

Shrub

3 –

10 ft

3 –

10 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Berry, Fall Color, Forage, Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host, Nesting Material

White, Yellow, Green, Brown

Low

Sand, Loam, Clay, Caliche, Well Drained, Dry

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Deer, Bees

Little Leaf Sumac

Rhus microphylla

Shrub

4 –

8 ft

8 –

20 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fruit, Fall Color, Forage

White, Pink, Green

Low

Sand, Loam, Clay, Well Drained, Dry

Browsers, Birds, Small Mammals

Evergreen Sumac

Rhus virens

Shrub

8 –

10 ft

6 –

8 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Evergreen

Fruit, Forage, Nectar, Pollen, Nesting Material

White

Low

Rocky, Limestone, Well Drained, Dry

Browsers, Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Bees

Whitetop Sedge

Rhynchospora colorata

Grass & Sedge, Wetland

1 –

2 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Semi Evergreen

Seeds, Nectar, Pollen

White

Medium, High

Sand, Loam, Clay, Poor Drainage, Moist, Brackish

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals, Bees

Showy Whitetop

Rhynchospora nivea

Grass & Sedge

1 –

1.5 ft

.5 –

1 ft

Sun

Semi Evergreen

White

Medium

Calcareous, Well Drained, Moist

Pigeonberry

Rivina humilis

Herbaceous

1 –

1.5 ft

0.5 –

1.5 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Fruit, Nectar, Pollen

White, Pink

Low, Medium

Sand, Loam, Clay, Rocky, Moist

Butterflies, Birds, Bees

Prairie Rose

Rosa arkansana

Shrub

1 –

3 ft

1 –

3 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fruit, Fall Color, Nectar, Pollen, Flowers

Pink

Low

Sand, Loam, Gravelly, Dry

Butterflies, Birds, Bees

Carolina Rose

Rosa carolina

Shrub

1 –

6 ft

3 –

4 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fruit, Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host, Flowers

Pink

Low

Sand, Rocky, Well Drained, Moist, Dry

Butterflies, Birds, Moths, Bees

White Prairie Rose

Rosa foliolosa

Shrub

.5 –

1 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Berry, Fall Color, Nectar, Pollen

White, Pink

Low, Medium

Sand, Clay, Limestone, Calcareous, Dry

Butterflies, Birds, Bees

Climbing Prairie Rose

Rosa setigera

Shrub, Vine

9 –

14 ft

4 –

8 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fruit, Nectar, Pollen, Flowers

White, Pink

Low, Medium

Sand, Loam, Clay, Calcareous, Well Drained, Moist, Dry

Butterflies, Birds, Bees

Southern Dewberry

Rubus trivialis

Groundcover, Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

1 –

3 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Fruit, Forage, Nectar, Pollen

White

Medium

Sand, Loam, Clay, Well Drained, Moist, Dry

Beetles, Birds, Small Mammals, Nectar Insects, Bees

Clasping Coneflower

Rudbeckia amplexicaulis

Herbaceous

2 –

3 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen

Yellow

High

Sand, Loam, Clay, Calcareous, Well Drained, Moist

Butterflies, Bees

Perennial Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia fulgida

Herbaceous

2 –

4 ft

.25 –

.5 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Seeds, Pollen

Orange, Yellow

Medium

Sand, Loam, Clay, Rocky, Limestone, Moist

Birds, Bees

Rough Coneflower

Rudbeckia grandiflora

Herbaceous

2 –

5 ft

.5 –

1 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Seeds, Forage, Nectar, Pollen

Red, Yellow

Medium

Sand, Loam, Clay, Moist

Beetles, Butterflies, Birds, Deer, Bees

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Seeds, Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host

Yellow, Brown

Medium

Sand, Loam, Clay, Rich, Well Drained, Moist, Dry

Butterflies, Birds, Nectar Insects, Bees

Cutleaf Coneﬂower

Rudbeckia laciniata

Herbaceous

3 –

10 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Seeds, Pollen

Yellow

Low, Medium

Moist

Birds, Bees

Giant Coneflower

Rudbeckia maxima

Herbaceous

3 –

6 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Seeds, Nectar, Pollen

Yellow

High

Sand, Moist

Butterflies, Birds, Nectar Insects, Bees

Missouri Coneﬂower

Rudbeckia missouriensis

Herbaceous

2 –

3 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Seeds, Nectar, Pollen

Orange, Yellow, Brown

Low, Medium

Sand, Loam, Clay, Well Drained, Moist, Dry

Butterflies, Birds, Bees

Sweet Coneﬂower

Rudbeckia subtomentosa

Herbaceous

3 –

6 ft

1 –

2 ft

Part Shade

Deciduous

Seeds, Nectar, Pollen

Yellow

Medium

Loam, Clay, Well Drained, Moist

Beetles, Butterflies, Birds, Bees

Texas Coneflower

Rudbeckia texana

Herbaceous

4 –

5 ft

2 –

3 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Seeds, Nectar, Larval Host

Yellow

Medium

Well Drained, Moist, Dry

Butterflies, Birds

Brown-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia triloba

Herbaceous

2 –

5 ft

2 –

3 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Seeds, Nectar

Orange, Yellow

Medium

Moist, Dry

Butterflies, Birds

Carolina Wild Petunia

Ruellia caroliniensis

Herbaceous

2 –

3 ft

1 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Seeds, Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host

Pink, Purple

Medium

Sand, Clay, Well Drained, Moist, Dry

Butterflies, Birds, Moths, Bees

Drummond’s Wild Petunia

Ruellia drummondiana

Herbaceous

1 –

3 ft

2 –

3 ft

Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host

Purple

Low

Rocky, Dry

Butterflies

Prairie Petunia

Ruellia humilis

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

1.5 –

2 ft

Sun, Part Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host

Purple

Medium

Sand, Loam, Rocky, Limestone, Moist, Dry

Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Moths, Bees

Metz’s Wild Petunia

Ruellia metzae

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

.5 –

1 ft

Sun

Deciduous

Nectar

White

Low

Gravelly, Limestone

Butterflies

Wild Petunia

Ruellia nudiflora

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

0.5 –

1 ft

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Nectar, Larval Host

Purple

Low, Medium

Sand, Moist, Dry

Caterpillars, Butterflies, Nectar Insects

Western Wild Petunia

Ruellia occidentalis

Herbaceous

1 –

2 ft

Part Shade, Shade

Deciduous

Nectar

Purple

Low, Medium

Moist, Dry

Butterflies

[elg_csv_export grid_id="my-loop-grid"]

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

About the Native Plant Society of Texas

Membership

News

Events

2024 Fall Symposium

CHapter Information

Chapters

Native Plant Information

Native Plant Database

Top Plant Searches

Native Landscape Certification Program (NLCP)

Monarch Conservation

2024 Fall Symposium

Additional Programs

Publications

Invasive Plants

Speakers Bureau

Landscaping

Reading and Reference

Native Plant Society of Texas

Level 1 List

Level 2 List

Level 3 List

Birds List

Name

Growth Form

Height

Spread

Sun

Leaf Retention

Wildlife Interest

Seasonal Interest

Water Use

Soil Type

Wildlife Benefit

About the Native Plant Society of Texas

Membership

News

Events

2024 Fall Symposium

CHapter Information

Chapters

Native Plant Information

Native Plant Database

Top Plant Searches

Native Landscape Certification Program (NLCP)

Monarch Conservation

2024 Fall Symposium

Additional Programs

Publications

Invasive Plants

Speakers Bureau

Landscaping

Reading and Reference

NLCP Plant Lists

Level 1 List

Level 2 List

Level 3 List

Birds List

Name

Growth Form

Height

Spread

Sun

Leaf Retention

Wildlife Interest

Seasonal Interest

Water Use

Soil Type

Wildlife Benefit

About the Region