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Native Plant Society of Texas

Boerne Chapter

January 3, 2023, meeting

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January Meeting – Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023, Cibolo Nature Center Auditorium. 6:30 pm Social Time; 7:00 pm Meeting Announcements
Presentation: Lonnie Childs will recount tales of early Texas naturalists and adventurers, who risked their lives in pursuit of scientific data while examining and documenting our diverse natural history. Attention will focus on some of the better known Texas explorers, including Ferdinand Roemer and Ferdinand Lindheimer, both of whom spent time in the Hill Country pursuing their scientific studies.
Presenter: After a 30-year career in manufacturing and supply chain, Lonnie retired in 2001 to the Fredericksburg area to pursue his interests in history, natural history, and land conservation. He has been involved with multiple non-profit organizations including serving on the Board of Directors of the Gillespie County Historical Society and serving as State President of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT).  He was a graduate of the 2004 Hill Country Master Naturalist class. He currently serves as President and Newsletter Editor of the Friends of the Fredericksburg Nature Center.

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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