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Native Plant Society of Texas

Boerne Chapter

October Meeting – Tuesday, Oct 4, 2022, Cibolo Nature Center Auditorium. 6:30 pm Social Time; 7:00 pm Meeting

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October Meeting – Tuesday, Oct 4, 2022, Cibolo Nature Center Auditorium. 6:30 pm Social Time; 7:00 pm Meeting Announcements, Voting for 2022-23 Officers, and Presentation.  
Presentation:  Agaves, Yuccas and Related Plants of Texas – Tough Plants for Tough Times
Lonnie will explore the agaves and yuccas of Texas and the ethno-botanical uses of them, along with some interesting historical facts about these plants and their specific species which are most suitable for home landscaping use will be highlighted and explored in greater detail.

Presenter:  Lonnie Childs enjoyed a 30-year career as a manufacturing and supply chain executive, followed by a stint leading his own management consulting firm.  In 2001, he retired to the Fredericksburg area to pursue his interests in history, natural history, and land conservation. He has been involved with multiple non-profit organizations, including serving on the Board of Directors of the Gillespie County Historical Society.  He also served as State President of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) where, he received the Benny Simpson Fellows Award for service to the society. He was a graduate of the 2004 Hill Country Master Naturalist class and has taught the “Early Texas Naturalist” curriculum for the chapter. He is currently President and Newsletter Editor for Friends of the Fredericksburg Nature Center. He has written many articles on natural history and has been a frequent speaker on these subjects. 

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About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason