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January 2005 – December 2008 Carol Perry

NPSOT News

Editor Carol Perry

Volume 23, No 1
Texas trilliums
Cut-leaf daisy
Yaupon holly

Volume 23, No 2
Matt Turner on Sotol
Host plants for butterflies

Volume 23, No 3
Wildscapes and the Society Mission
Common Landscape Mistakes

Volume 23, No 4
Mitletoe
A new home for the Society

Volume 24, No 1
Red Yucca
The Cross Timbers that used to be

Volume 24, No 2
Poisonous plants
Beneficial insects

Volume 24, No 3
Stone in the landscape
Native persimmons

Volume 24, No 4
Silveus’ Dropseed Prairies
Reclaiming the Garden of Eden

Volume 25, No 1
Plant Identification for Dummies … Err, Non-Botanists
Whos Watching the Water

Volume 25, No 2
Butterflies and native plants
Mulch

Volume 25, No 3
How a Purple Thistle Taught Children Ecology
San Pedro Springs

Volume 25, No 4
What does it mean to be Native
Low-maintenance landscapes
Compass plant

Volume 26, No 1
The Rimrock Ridge Story
Rainwater harvesting

Volume 26, No 2
Trees anchor the landscape

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About the Region

New Braunfels, the location of our Fall 2024 Symposium, straddles both the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion and the Blackland Prairie ecoregion. Interstate 35 divides the city of New Braunfels; its path through the city closely parallels the boundary of these two ecoregions, with the Edwards Plateau on the west side and the Blackland Prairies region to the east. The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our four host chapters (New Braunfels, Lindheimer, Guadalupe, and the Hill Country chapters) are located in one or both of the ecoregions above. However, the eastern portion of Guadalupe County also falls within the Post Oak Savanna ecoregion. Annual rainfall averages 35 to 45 inches, with higher averages to the east. A wide variety of hardwood trees are found, including several species of oaks, elms, and in the Bastrop area, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Grasses and forbs dominate in the open savannas, with most common grass being little bluestem. Ranching, agriculture, and fire suppression have allowed woody species to encroach on the once-open savannas.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason