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Native Plant Society of Texas

Vacancies filled on executive board

NPSOT Archive

**ARCHIVED POST **

At the January meeting in Fort Worth, the State Board filled vacancies for Vice President Finance and Vice President Administration.

Gailon Hardin was appointed to the head financial job, a position she previously held in 2006 and 2007. She also served as President in 2009. Gailon is from Arlington and is a member of the North Central Chapter, as well as being active in the Master Gardeners. She is also a highly sought-after speaker on landscaping with native plants.

Dell Hood was appointed vice-president for administration. Dell is from Wimberley and is a member of the Lindheimer Chapter. His responsibilities will include oversight of administrative operations and chair of the Membership Committee. Dell is looking for members to serve with him on the committee. The Society expects to launch a new membership campaign later this year.

The board is still looking for a chair for the Texas Native Plant Week Committee. This is a new committee which will plan and coordinate activities related to Native Plant Week, an annual event on the third week of October. Native Plant Week was started three years ago. Many chapters and other groups have activities to celebrate but there has not been a state-wide coordinated effort.

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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: Bill Hopkins

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