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Native Plant Society of Texas

San Antonio Chapter

Best Practices in Invasive Species Control in Central Texas

**ARCHIVED POST ** from 2021-09-11

7:00 pm – Meeting and program
Best Practices in Invasive Species Control in Central Texas

Invasive species threaten the persistence of native species, ecosystem health, and the services ecosystems provide humans. Efforts to define invasive species, grapple with the nature of their existence, and control them has occupied substantial human brain-space and multitudes of pages of scientific journal articles. In this talk, Dr. Kelly Lyons, Professor of Biology at Trinity University, will discuss her long-term research on invasive species in grasslands and emerging standard best practices for their control, with practical information on specific management approaches. She will also briefly present her current research identifying differences among fungal species that reside in native and exotic grasses in Texas. A substantial portion of the talk will be dedicated to Q&A and discussion to address members’ concerns and curiosities about invasive species and their personal observations and perspectives.

Register for this Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYlf-itpjkuHtDdx1cT2PGYj6rx0AsUL7_3

Note: You can log in early to make sure the computer is working. We are limited to 100 participants at the meeting so people may not be able to log in with Zoom. Not to worry, we will be streaming live on our YouTube page, and will be recorded for viewing later. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

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**ARCHIVED POST**

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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: aawalt **

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