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While non-natives such as bermudagrass provide acres of forage for livestock, and green lawns for our homes, they offer little wildlife value. In contrast, native grasses and associated forbes offer the food, shelter, and space needed by small mammal and bird species, reptiles and amphibians, insect species, and other fauna. As a bonus, native grasses in the context of a prairie or as landscape "specimen" plants are oftentimes surprisingly beautiful. For instance, Little Bluestem undergoes a parade of color changes as the seasons change. |
Learn More Local chapters of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT), including the Dallas Chapter and the East Dallas Chapter, also provide learning opportunities about plants that may be found in grassland ecosystems. |
Hiking Boots Optional While not quite as rewarding as a walk through a pristine prairie, one can view prairie grasses and other native plants at Native Texas Park on the grounds of the Bush Center at Southern Methodist University (SMU). To help recognize native grasses in the park, consider downloading the Native Texas Park & Flower Guide from the Park Website before actually visiting the park. Plan a trip for Spring, as prairie grasses are dormant during Winter months. |
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Field guide to common Texas grasses
by Stephan L. Hatch
Covering 172 species of the most significant common grasses growing in Texas, this complete update of the now-classic guide contains range maps and color images of the inflorescences and spikelets of each species along with the detailed, black-and-white illustrations found in the original volume.
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Guide to Texas grasses
by Robert Blaine Shaw
Includes a description of the structure of the grass plant;details of the classification and distribution of Texas grasses;brief species accounts;distributional maps;color photographs;plus black-and-white drawings of 670 grass species—native, introduced, and ornamental.
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The natural history of Texas
by Brian R Chapman
Beginning with the stories of how biologists and naturalists have over time defined the ecological areas of this very big state, the authors visit each of the eleven regions, including the Texas coast. They describe the dominant flora and fauna of each, explain the defining geologic features, and highlight each region’s unique characteristics, such as carnivorous plants in the Piney Woods and returning black bears in the Trans-Pecos.
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Prairie : a natural history
by Candace Sherk Savage
Stunningly presented illustrations capture the beautiful and haunting vistas of North America's central grasslands, as well as sidebars illuminating a wide variety of species, and other aspects of natural history and tales of successful conservation projects.
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Business, Science & Technology
Dallas Public Library1515 Young St.
Dallas, Texas 75201
214-670-1400www.dallaslibrary.org |
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