Celebrate the Diversity of Texas’ Native Plants

Written by:

Posted on:

Categories:

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Get The Latest:

Join our print or digital newsletter to be informed about the agency’s many projects and other news.

Prickly Pear Cactus

Last Updated on January 30, 2024

Photo Credit: Lee Marlowe, Sustainable Landscape Ecologist for the River Authority

April was designated National Native Plant Month by a bipartisan resolution in 2021 and has since become a month to celebrate the beauty and benefits of our diverse native Texas plants. Texas has over 5,000 native plant species, which can be found in incredibly diverse habitats throughout the state. The San Antonio River Basin comprises many ecosystems where these diverse plant communities thrive and contribute to clean, safe, and enjoyable creeks and rivers. Join us as we celebrate five native species, from the prickly pear cactus to the chile pequin!

The State Plant of Texas is the prickly pear cactus. There are many species of prickly pear cactus in Texas. Their large, beautiful blooms can be seen in various colors, including bright yellow, orange, and combinations of red and yellow. There can even be multiple colors of flowers on the same plant! The Prickly pear’s fruits, known as “tunas,” are edible, as are the pads, known as nopalitos or nopales. These plants have been identified by the Xerxes Society for Invertebrate Conservation as having exceptional value for native bees.

Pollinators feast on a pricky pear’s nectar!

The State Tree of Texas is the pecan. Pecans are some of the last trees to leaf out each spring, and it is often said that winter isn’t over until the pecans leaf out. Pecan nuts, rich in protein, are a prized food for many people and wildlife. Pecan nuts from the wild native trees taste the best even though they are smaller and take much greater effort to extract from their shells. Pecan serves as a larval host for the Gray Hairstreak butterfly, and the nuts provide food for birds and mammals.

Pecan (Carya illinoinensis)

Gray Hairstreak butterfly perched on flower

Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)

The State Native Shrub of Texas is the Texas purple sage. A favorite in Texas landscapes for its beauty and durability, Texas Purple Sage is also called Cenizo, Barometer Bush, and Silverleaf. It usually blooms many times during the growing season and often becomes completely covered in bright purple blooms that stand out in contrast to the silvery leaves. It loves good drainage and is extremely drought hardy. It serves as a larval host for the Calleta Silkmoth and Theona Checkerspot butterfly, attracts many other species of butterflies, and offers an excellent protective cover for birds throughout the year.

Monarch perched on Texas Purple Sage

Texas purple sage (Leucophyllum frutescens)

A caterpillar hangs on a tree branch

Calleta Silkmoth larva (Eupackardia calleta)

The State Grass of Texas is sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula). This native grass is easy to recognize when covered in seeds because it produces dense clumps of stems lined with seeds hanging from one side. It can bloom from June through November, and its ornamental quality makes it desirable for many gardens. It also serves as a larval host for two butterfly species, and its leaves are used for nesting material. Plus, it is highly resistant to browsing deer, and the seeds provide food for birds and mammals.

Sideoats

Sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula)

The State Native Pepper of Texas is chiltepín. Also called chile pequin, bird pepper, and turkey pepper, this native pepper is known as “the mother of all peppers.” Its unique taste and bright red fruits make it a favorite addition to the garden! Individual plants may behave as annuals or perennials, and seeds are readily spread by birds who love eating the peppers, especially Mockingbirds. The peppers can be eaten fresh or dried; although they’re small, they’re flaming hot in taste.

Chile Pequin Plant

Chiltepin (Capsicum annuum glabriusculum)

Want to become a native plant champion? Take some time this month to visit a River Authority park or trail and learn about the native plants around you!

River Warriors planting native grass at Confluence Park

You can also become a River Authority River Warrior! River Warrior volunteers help the River Authority’s Watershed & Park Operations team with ecosystem restoration activities like planting native grasses and trees, removing invasive species, pruning, mulching trees and helping maintain native habitats at Confluence Park or along the Mission Reach.

Spring is the perfect season for realizing the potential of gardening with these beneficial species.By celebrating and caring for native plants, we are helping improve the health of our creeks, rivers, and our local communities.

Related Articles

Alerts

SASPAMCO Paddling Trail Temporarily Closed

Staff have removed two large log jams just downstream of Helton Nature Park, keeping the southern portion of the SASPAMCO Paddling Trail temporarily closed. Staff are working to contact adjacent landowners to support a land-based removal solution.

Stem Density Efforts

Please be advised that trails near the Confluence Park and Conception Park area will be temporarily closed due to ongoing Stem Density efforts. We appreciate your cooperation and ask that you remain mindful of workers and closures when in the vicinity. Thank you for your patience as we work to improve our natural spaces!

 

Gas Spill

The San Antonio River Authority and the City of San Antonio are actively working to contain a recent gas spill in the Downtown River Walk Loop area, which occurred earlier today. The source of the spill is unknown but has stopped. At this time, no environmental impacts have been observed, and teams are implementing measures to fully contain and remove the substance. We will provide updates as the situation develops.

West Bank Trail Closure Notice

Due to the construction of a new trail and bridge, the West Bank of the trail between Schiller St. and Newell St. will be closed for the next couple of months. The East Bank will also be intermittently closed on Monday, November 4th, to install the bridge. Please use caution when navigating around this area. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Please refer to the map for reference. 

San Pedro Creek Culture Park

The restrooms at South Alamo will be temporarily closed for maintenance and repairs. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. 

Acequia Trail Notice

The Acequia trail will have heavy traffic near MROC starting May 22nd until further notice. The SAWS Acequia project will be bringing in crews to work on the lift station site and across the street. There will have flaggers to stop traffic, please use caution. 

SASPAMCO Paddling Trail

The SASPAMCO paddling trail is open from River Crossing Park to Helton Nature Park.
*Please Note: Paddling Trail from Helton Nature Park to HWY 97 is still closed due to blockages. 

River Reach Newsletter and Blog Signup

River Reach is offered as a printed, physical mailing to your residence or business. The Blog is a weekly electronic email with news and updates in order to be more environmentally conscious. Please fill out the form below and indicate your preferred method of delivery.

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing materials from: San Antonio River Authority, 100 East Guenther St., San Antonio, TX, 78204, US. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.