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Native Plant Society of Texas

Fredericksburg Chapter

March 26 “Invasive Non-Native Plants – and How to Get Rid of Them”

Cheryl Hamilton standing by a large bastard cabbage in full bloom.

“Non-native, invasive plants are destroying biodiversity and wreaking havoc in our backyards, neighborhoods, parks and preserves,” stated Cheryl Hamilton, co-founder of the Invaders of Texas Program, Balcones chapter. “These plants are causing economic and environmental harm or harm to human health. Invasive plants form monocultures, exacerbate allergies, alter fire regimes, reduce biodiversity and change the hydrologic flow of our rivers and streams.”

Hamilton shares her extensive knowledge about non-native, invasive plants and how to eradicate them at the next meeting of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT), Fredericksburg Chapter on Mar. 26 from 6:30-8 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Halle.
Her presentation will include:

  • Descriptions of the most challenging invasive plants found in the Texas Hill Country,
  • Strategies for management, including prevention, identification and eradication
  • Removal of invasive plants and
  • replacement with native plants as essential components to restoring the biodiversity of our public and private lands.

Hamilton has presented more than 100 invasive/native plant workshops at the local, state and national level since 2009. In 2015, she received a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for more than 4,000 hours with the Master Naturalist program.

“We’ll all be able to do better and help our area thrive when we stop planting non-natives and remove these invasive species from our properties,” noted Deborah Simmons, president of the Fredericksburg chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas. “Johnsongrass, nandina and bastard cabbage are just some of the invasive plants that wreak havoc in our local ecosystem.”

Learn more. The public is invited to attend in person and via online streaming. The chapter holds its monthly meetings on the 4th Tuesday of the month at St. Joseph’s Halle (212 W. San Antonio St., Fredericksburg). There is a social time at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting starts at 7 p.m. More information is online at Facebook (@fbgtxnpsot), Instagram @npsot_fredericksburg_chapter, and https://npsot.org/chapters/fredericksburg/. Meetings are open to the public. The Chapter also holds members-only events such as the Spring and Fall native plant sales, and field trips.

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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