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Native Plant Society of Texas

Help develop our strategic plan

NPSOT Archive

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Your opinion counts.

A nine-member committee has been working since April to write a new strategic plan for the Society. They have spent many hours in meetings working through several drafts. But for the plan to be successful it needs to take everyone’s viewpoint into account.

The committee has created a special website to display the fruits of their labor and supporting documentation, and they are asking for input and comments from all members. Please visit the site, read the proposed plan (it’s only two pages!) and and let the committee know what you think. There will also be a panel during the fall symposium in San Antonio where members will have the opportunity to ask questions directly to the planning committee.

When it’s finished the strategic plan will become the guiding force for the Society for the next five years, setting priorities and goals.

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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: Bill Hopkins

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