NPSOT-Williamson County Chapter
Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT-Wilco)
NPSOT’s Native Plant Rescue Project is compiling a history of Williamson County’s MoKan Prairie, an area with a prairie remnant in eastern Round Rock facing increasing amounts of development. We are specifically looking for first-hand accounts, memories, photos and oral stories of the MoKan Prairie area. We would love to hear from you!
Contact plantrescue-wilco@npsot.org.
We plan to present the history of the MoKan Prairie at a future NPSOT meeting.
Volunteer with us Saturday, January 20th from 10am-1pm in Liberty Hill as we rescue plants from a 2 acre property prior to construction. There is easy parking next to the site, but be mindful that there is tall grass to walk through and no trails. You may dig plants for conservation and/or to take for your own projects. The plant list and further details can be found at the SignUp link below.
You must be a current NPSOT member (any chapter) and at least 18 to attend. (Join NPSOT or renew here.)
Learn more about the Native Plant Rescue Project at this link.
— by Cindy Chrisler
Gary Bowers led 18 enthusiastic hikers on a trail at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock to learn about tree identification and habitats found in the area. Attendees were treated to Gary’s expertise, augmented by the collective knowledge of several local NPSOT members.
In addition to learning a new term (marcescence), the group was entertained by a squirrel entering its nest cavity in an elm, the sight of a very large poison ivy vine, luminescent soapberries, colorful possumhaw berries, and an enormous live oak. We also learned Native American uses of some trees from a NPSOT-Wilco member and botany student at UT Austin, Arnan Pawawongsak.
Two children who dutifully accompanied their parents often engaged Gary with questions about leaves, bark, and other observations on the plants seen on the hike. Several non-members attended the hike, and were eagerly invited to attend our next meeting. This delightful outing was the perfect beginning for the new year.
Plant images: Soapberry, Sapindus saponaria and Possumhaw, Ilex decidua.
Photos by Cindy Chrisler.
See more photos from this field trip and others=>