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Native Plant Society of Texas

Boerne Chapter

September Meeting – Tuesday, Sep 6, 2022, Cibolo Nature Center Auditorium. 

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September Meeting – Tuesday, Sep 6, 2022, Cibolo Nature Center Auditorium. 6:30 pm Social Time; 7:00 pm Meeting Announcements and Presentation
 

Presentation: The Archeology Of The Edwards Plateau – Learn the basics of how Native Americans lived in our regions, from the type of tools and weapons they made and used to survive, to the food sources (both plant and animal). The presentation will cover the archeological periods in Texas and why each is different, and explain how evidence now strongly indicates that these ancient peoples were living in our region as far back as 20,000 years before present.   

Presented by: Steve Stoutamire – Steve is a retired petroleum geologist he has a MS in Geology (1975) from Texas Tech University. During a 32-year career in the petroleum industry he held positions in both domestic and international operations. He is an active avocational archeologist and regularly works to educate the public through teaching classes and giving archeology lectures. He works with private land owners, by their invitation, to help them understand archeological sites on their property.  He serves as chairman of the board of the Gault School of Archeological Research at the University of Texas, Austin and as a Texas Archeology Steward for the Texas Historical Commission.

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About the Region

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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