Background information on scientific exploration in Texas in the 19th century. Examines stories of important botanists of the era.
Can be customized for some eco-regions based on the botanists who collected there.
Background information on scientific exploration in Texas in the 19th century. Examines stories of important botanists of the era.
Can be customized for some eco-regions based on the botanists who collected there.
Lonnie Childs enjoyed a 30-year career as a manufacturing and supply chain executive capped by a stint leading his own management consulting firm. In 2001, he semi-retired to the Fredericksburg […]
Lonnie Childs enjoyed a 30-year career as a manufacturing and supply chain executive capped by a stint leading his own management consulting firm. In 2001, he semi-retired to the Fredericksburg area to pursue his interests in history, natural history, and land conservation.
In the ensuing years, he has been involved with multiple non-profit organizations including serving on the Board of Directors of the Gillespie County Historical Society and serving as State President of the Native Plant Society of Texas where he received Benny Simpson Fellows Award for service to the society. He currently serves as President of the Friends of the Fredericksburg Nature Center.
He has authored numerous articles on natural history subjects and has been a frequent presenter. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and he's working on a new presentation he calls "Landscaping for Biodiversity - Native Plants, Healthy Habitats, and How to Save Your Little Piece of the World".
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