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Native Plant Society of Texas

North Central Chapter

NICE Spring 2024 Plant of the Season

Texas Redbud (Cercis canadensis var. texensis) Ornamental Tree and Harbinger of Spring
Description: Texas Redbud, (Cercis canadensis var. texensis),
is native to southern Oklahoma to central Texas and
northeastern Mexico. Nothing quite heralds the coming of
spring than the spectacular beauty of redbud trees in bloom.
Autumn colors are equally stunning with the foliage turning to
a deep gold/yellow/red. Redbuds are deciduous but with
landscape interest three seasons of the year, they are excellent
assets to your landscape. The mature size of the Texas Redbud
is typically 15-20 feet high. Other redbuds that can grow in our
region include Eastern Redbud, Cercis canadensis var.
canadensis, and Mexican Redbud (Cercis canadensis var.
mexicana). Among the three varieties, there are differences in
size, water requirements, and heat tolerance so consider those
needs when selecting the best redbud for your location.

To learn more view: Texas Redbud plant information sheet

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