Species We Protect: Plants

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With nearly 4,500 species of plants, Texas ranks second nationally in plant diversity.

Trailing phlox in Sandyland Sanctuary, Texas, United States, North America. © Harold E. Malde

Features

Longleaf Pine © Lynn McBride

Longleaf Pine

Towering forests of longleaf pine once covered 70 million acres across the southeast United State, but only than 3 percent of these woodlands remain. Learn more

In the United States, Mexican white oak are found only at Dolan Falls Preserve. © Scott McWilliams

Mexican White Oak

Usually found shallowly rooted in moist soil, the tree grows as tall as 80 feet and branches as wide as 60 feet. Learn more

The Pecos sunflower can reach six feet in height. © John Karges/The Nature Conservancy

Pecos Sunflower

Found at only two sites in Texas and four in New Mexico, this threatened flower is completely dependent upon spring flows. Learn more

Sabal palm trees once grew throughout the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Now, just a few stands remain at Southmost Preserve and other scattered locations. © TNC/Paco Felici

Sabal palm

Though a singular tree, this plant has accrued a plethora of names, including the Rio Grande Palm, Texas Palmetto, Palma De Micharas, and more. Learn more

Star cactus © Lisa Williams/The Nature Conservancy

Star Cactus

Also called the sea urchin cactus and the sand dollar cactus, the star cactus is a small, spineless succulent. Learn more

The white, bell-shaped flowers of the Texas snowbell hang down and give the tree its distinctive name. © The Nature Conservancy

Texas Snowbell

Endemic to Texas’ Edwards Plateau, the Texas snowbell is a deciduous shrub that can grow quite large. Learn more

The bright pink bloom of the Texas trailing phlox. © Harold E. Malde

Texas Trailing Phlox

Generally resembling common creeping garden phlox, Texas trailing phlox may be distinguished primarily by the presence of tiny glandular hairs. Learn more