Endangered Plants
As the Center for Plant Conservation (CPC) custodian for endangered plants in South Texas, the San Antonio Botanical Garden plays an important role in assuring that these regional plants do not face extinction. Research varies with each species but may involve collection of propagules from as many sites as possible, storing seed here and at the national seed bank lab in Colorado. Working out propagation and growing protocols for each species is an ongoing research objective. Growing plants to maturity, displaying them in the Garden, and interpreting their value to the public are part of the program as well.
The plant list currently includes the following:
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South Texas Ambrosia
Ambrosia cheiranthifolia -
Prostrate Milkweed
Asclepias prostrata -
Texas Ayenia
Ayenia limitaris -
Plains Gumweed
Grindelia oolepis -
Walker’s Manioc
Manihot walkerae -
Zapata Bladderpod
Physaria thamnophila -
Ashy Dogweed
Thymophylla tephroleuca
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South Texas Rush Pea
Caesalpinia phyllanthoides -
Chandler’s Craglily
Echeandia chandleri -
Slender Rushpea
Hoffmannseggiai tenella -
Runyon’s Huaco
Manfreda longiflora -
Welder Machaeranthera
Psilactis heterocarpa -
Bailey’s Ballmoss
Tillandsia baileyi
WaterSaver Plants
In partnership with the San Antonio Water System (SAWS), the Garden has two home demonstration areas that show environmentally appropriate plantings for South Texas. Discover a variety of native and non-native plants that withstand the harshest elements and create a drought-tolerant and beautiful landscape.
- WaterSaver Garden - Plantlings demonstrate a colorful landscape that is low in water use. Birds and butterflies flock to the plantings, which include salvia, esperanza, Pride of Barbados, plumbago, and yucca.
- WaterSaver Lane - Six cottage settings demonstrate the various options for homeowners in creating an attractive South Texas landscape that uses less water, minimizes lawn, and offers habitat for wildlife.
Other Research Partnerships
- Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension Service - In an ongoing partnership, the Botanical Garden has hosted plant trials for tomatoes, strawberries, peppers, and others in plots adjacent to the Children’s Vegetable Garden.
- North American Butterfly Association - Each June, the NABA conducts a July 4th butterfly count that includes the Garden.
