Big Bend Chapter

2018-2019 Programs – First on September 22

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[from Dallas Baxter]

Just in time- our first meeting is below. You’ll receive the entire season by the end of the week.

Title: Urban and Suburban Meadows

Date/Time: September 22, 2018 – 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Location: Sul Ross Range Animal Science Auditorium (room 130). Range Animal Science is the large red brick building on Hwy 90 West, almost across the highway from the entrance to Country Club Estates.

Description: This program begins with an inspiring video by native plant guru Doug Tallamy and associates that spells out for us what goes into the making of a meadow in a home landscape. Whether you have rocky, poor soil or a boring unfocused ‘yard,’ any space, large or small, is perfect for a meadow. Why look at rocks or bald patches when you can look at butterflies and hummers pollinating your native flowers and know that you’ve also created habitat for them and many other two, four and six-legged creatures! We’ve bought the rights to show this video, so a small donation from each of us to defray costs would be welcome. Gardener extraordinaire Patty Manning will lead a post-video discussion to answer all your questions! Also available will be seed catalogues and seed from Native American Seed to purchase. Now, at the end of the rainy season comes a perfect time to learn about and plant meadows!

Reservations: To make reservations, please e-mail Fonda Ghiardi at fondag@sbcglobal.net. Please tell her your name, the number in your party, your e-mail and your phone – just in case we need to reach you.

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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: billarmstrong

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