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Native Plant Society of Texas

Pines and Prairies Chapter

Botanical Advisor

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Kathie Herrick, Pines and Prairies chapter

Kathie Herrick holds a bachelor’s in biology from Grinnell College and masters degrees in botany and teaching of science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Following two years as an adjunct professor of biology at Lone Star College she became an Environmental Education Coordinator with the Woodlands Township for twenty years until her retirement. While with the Township, Kathie wrote a column promoting native woody plants to Woodlands residents and contributed to a series of water-saving native plant brochures. In retirement, she managed volunteer projects for The Woodlands Environmental Services Department such as the Invasive Plant Task Force and Shadow Lake restoration. Kathie is also a certified Texas Master Naturalist with the Heartwood Chapter and formerly served as Co-President of The Woodlands GREEN.

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