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Native Plant Society of Texas

Photo contest open for entries

NPSOT Archive

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All photographers are invited to enter a photo contest of images featuring Texas native plants and landscapes. Contest judging will be conducted during the symposium via a popular vote by attendees. Previous years’ entries may be viewed in the Society’s SmugMug gallery.

Photo judging at the 2010 Symposium. Photo by Bill Hopkins
Photo judging at the 2010 Symposium.
Photo by Bill Hopkins

Entries will be grouped into Professional and Amateur classes. If you’ve ever sold a photograph, you must enter the Professional division. Three subject categories may be entered: native Texas plants in bloom, native Texas plants not in bloom, and native Texas plants in natural or scenic landscapes.

Contest rules

  1. Photographs entered must be of plants native to Texas.
  2. Each photographer may enter a maximum of two mounted prints, either B&W or color, in each category for a total of six photos.
  3. Photographs entered in previous contests are not eligible.
  4. Mounted prints of your entries must be brought to the photo exhibit area at the symposium by noon on Friday, October 17.
  5. Prints must measure from 5″ x 7″ to 8″ x 10″ inches in size.
  6. Prints must be mounted on a firm backing such as mat-board or foam-board. Backing should be the same size as print. No framed or glass/acrylic covering is allowed.
  7. In addition to the mounted print, a digital copy of the photo in JPG or TIF format must be emailed to photocontest@npsot.org no later than Saturday, October 4.
  8. Winning photographs may be published on the Native Plant Society of Texas website and print publications. Other entries may also be used similarly.
  9. Only the original photographer may enter a photograph.
  10. Photographs not meeting all requirements will be disqualified.

A PDF file may be downloaded and printed of the photo contest entry form, and attached to the mounted photo.

All photos entered become the property of the Native Plant Society of Texas. By entering their photos, contestants agree that their work may be used for displays, publications and/or educational purposes of Native Plant Society of Texas. Photographers will be credited for their work with each use.

Awards

Certificates will be given to the first place winners in each class/category combination. Winners will be announced and awards presented at the symposium dinner held on Saturday evening October 18. Winning photographs may also be posted on our website and published in the member magazine.

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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: rkamper

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