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Native Plant Society of Texas

Highland Lakes Chapter

Fall Plant Sale

Tables nearly empty (after being brimming over above and below) by 10:30 in the morning before the very interesting speaker presentation by Dr. Rodolfo Valdez Barillas. Members stepped up in a big way—plants & working the sale! Our treasurer just reported $1537 sales. Awesome —thanks to Cassie, Suzanne, Melissa, set up & staying til we closed up shop (MG working @Market helpful unloading car), Joan, Cris, Kay, Louise-Marylynne dropped off over 60 plants—definitely a team event-more involved than I’ve recognized. Lots of support in sales from fellow HLMN & MG. Folks reported back speaker was great, also. Great day for public awareness & info on natives. We closed it down just as clouds rolled in, just in time. Thanks, Fred, for admin side paperwork—good to see you out, too! Thanks everyone for your involvement—fun day!

Fall Plant Sale
Linda O’Nan, Louise Suhey, Cassie Oberhaus
Linda O’Nan, Suzy Kitchens, Ann Edwards’ back (in black), an unknown customer, Melissa Macdougall and Donna Cagle (a known and happy customer!!)
Highland Lakes Fall Plant Sale
The “Sales Force” of Susie Kitchens, Louise Suhey, Cassie Oberhaus and a smiling and happy customer!!
Ann Edwards, a happy customer, and Melissa Macdougall
Linda O’nan talking to customers and Pat Campbell doing a little shopping.

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