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Native Plant Society of Texas

Dallas Chapter

April 2019 Meeting

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Heather Rinaldi with the Texas Worm Ranch presents “Managing Soil Biology for Ecosystem Health”

Join us on Monday, April 15th for this informative talk on soil health.

Heather Rinaldi’s earliest memories include gardening and raising livestock with her family on the skirts of the Oklahoma Tallgrass Prairie.  Her lifelong connection with the soil led her to research soil microbiology in an effort to naturally improve production for farmers, ranchers and urban homesteaders. Heather enjoys waxing poetic on the merits of worms, fungi, bacteria, and protozoa in our soil ecosystem, which leads to lots of missed party invitations (but can solve all the perplexing problems you have with your property). To learn more about the Texas Worm Ranch and the herds of worms that process over 100 tons of organic material a year into biologically rich worm castings, contact Heather at: txwormranch.com

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About the Region

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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