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Native Plant Society of Texas

Symposium 2018 registration open

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Registration is now open for the 2018 fall symposium October 18-21 in San Antonio.

The symposium presentations and field trips will explore the use of native plants by inhabitants of the San Antonio River system from the indigenous to the present; the restoration of the Mission Reach; plant-based low impact development to slow storm water runoff and enhance water quality; and the transition of the plant communities of the Blackland Prairie to the surrounding ecoregions along the San Antonio River and tributaries, with topics related to habitat improvement for butterflies, pollinators and fauna in these landscapes.

The symposium will include  presentations, workshops, field trips, displays and a silent auction and an awards banquet. A variety of registration plans are available to choose from. Please read the plan descriptions and field trip descriptions carefully and make your choices before registering.

The symposium will be held at Embassy Suites San Antonio Brooks Hotel & Spa located at 7610 South New Braunfels in San Antonio. Accommodations should be made separately with the hotel if they are needed. 

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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