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Native Plant Society of Texas

Lakes and Pines Chapter

June 6 NLCP Level 1 Class: A Learning Experience!

The Lakes & Pines and Tyler Chapters of the Native Plant Society of Texas hosted the Level 1 Native Landscape Certification Program class at the Tyler Nature Center on Saturday, June 6. Thirty native plant enthusiasts attended the class which focused on Introduction to Native Landscapes and was taught by Stacey Gates. Stacey has a degree in Horticulture Sciences and focuses in the areas of Residential Landscape Design and Personal Garden Coaching. The class is a state-wide program but is focused on the characteristics and plants in the region in which they are taught. Attendees enjoyed a plant identification walk through the Nature Center followed by a native plant sale in which they could take home many of the native plants that were introduced during the class. Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped make this first effort at hosting an NLCP class a great success! We’re already planning for the next classes so watch this space. For more information about the Native Plant Certification Program click HERE.

NLCP 1 Class L&P & Tyler Chapters 6-6-26
NLCP 1 Class L&P & Tyler Chapters 6-6-26

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