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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

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