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Native Plant Society of Texas

Highland Lakes Chapter

Native Landscapes for Birds Class – Nov 2, 2024

Highland Lakes Chapter hosted Native Landscaping with Birds class on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery. Twenty three people attended this class with some people coming from as far as DFW, Houston, and the Rio Grande Valley. Kay Zagst, an avid birder, presented the Class Topic (Native Landscapes for Birds) and added her own personal experiences much to the delight of the class. Then we went outside for the plant walk and to see the bird blind. The weather was cool and breezy. Fortunately, we were able to make it back inside before a bit of rain fell. After lunch, Melissa MacDougall presented the plant knowledge portion. The class was engaged, asking many questions. Another successful NLCP class.

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