Plant Life
Beeville, Texas

Different areas of South Texas are hosts to many different plant species.

The eastern areas are deeper soils, Post Oak, Live Oak. The coastal plains are often prairie, Mesquite country with more vegetation around creeks and along the water.

The central and western areas are "Brush Country" and typically have Mesquite Trees, Huisache, Live Oaks, Hackberry, Granjeno, Catclaw, Senisa ( Purple Sage which blooms after rains) , Prickley Pear Cactus, Whitebrush flats, and Guayacan ( just to name a few.) Wine and Jelly makers make their blends from Wild Mustang Grapes and Agarita berries.

Most of the plants in the Brush Country have thorns which creates beneficial and safe habitat for many animal and birds species. In the springs, South Texas highways are covered with wildflowers such as Bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrushes. One can spend all day just identifying different wildflowers found on area ranches.

Research on Plants, Animals and Habitat

Texas A&M University at Kingsville is home of the Ceasar Kleburg Wildlife Research Instutute which does most of the research on ranch related matters. Studies of various animals and birds are on-going. Of particular interest are experiments and studies on habitat management for wildlife benefit. Studies are also done on economic uses of Mesquite and Cactus products.

Texas A&M University and University of Texas have Marine Science facilities in Port Aransas, Texas and provide research and knowledge about our marine and coastal environment and fisheries industries.

The Welder Wildlife Refuge in Sinton Texas is home to numerous studies on local flora and fauna.