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Native Plant Society of Texas

History of Botanical Exploration in the Texas Panhandle Region

Presentation Details

Characterization of the native plants of the Panhandle Region began with the Long Expedition of 1820. In early August of 1820 the members of the Long Expedition followed the Canadian River across the panhandle. Notable plants seen on this traverse were Sand sage (Artimisia filifolia), and mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa).

The journal of Lieutenant Abert provides a thorough account of the flora, fauna and landscapes and native inhabitants along their route from Bents Fort in southeastern Colorado, across Raton Pass, down Ute Creek to its confluence with the Canadian then down the Canadian River into the Texas Panhandle. This journey was undertaken in 1845.

The exploration of the Red River of Louisiana by Captain Randolph B. Marcy in 1852 included Dr. George Shumard who was responsible for the collection of specimens of rocks, minerals, fossils, soils and plants. The plants collected were forwarded to Dr. John Torrey of New York. The report of the trip from Fort Smith to the headwaters of the Red River in the central Texas Panhandle references the abundant trees and shrubs encountered along the route.


Other more recent surveys of the Caprock canyonlands in 1905 and a survey done for the National Park Service in 1935 helped to complete the survey of native plants in the Panhandle.
And last but not least, Dr. Larry Higgins began the West Texan A&M University Herbarium in 1969.

Equipment Required:
None
Additional Requirements:
None
Ecoregions Covered:
Central Great Plains, Chihuahuan Deserts, Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, High Plains, Southern Texas Plains, Southwestern Tablelands, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain

Presenter Information

No associated speaker.

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