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Native Plant Society of Texas

Dallas Chapter

January Meeting – Miracles of Monarchs!

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Monday, January 18, 2016 @ 7PM, our own Janet Smith will be speaking on the Miracles of Monarchs – She will explain how the state butterfly of Texas migrates thousands of miles, further than any other butterfly. See photos of the winter home in Mexico, learn about the conservation efforts and learn what you can do to help. If you like butterflies, you will enjoy and appreciate this presentation.

p.s.  No one signed up to bring snacks.  If you can bring 1 item please do.  If you can bring more, please let us know so we can let others know not to.  Thanks!

p.s.s. The Fellowship Hall isn’t available Monday night so we’ll be meeting in classroom 2. Please enter from door at the far end of the courtyard (next to the hall) and follow the NPSOT signs.

© NPSOT

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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