Native plants · Texas

Native plants of Gonzales County

421 plant species are recorded as native to Texas in Kew’s World Checklist of Vascular Plants and USDA PLANTS, and recorded in Gonzales County by USDA PLANTS. 164 of them have growing records you can filter by light, moisture, height and estimated cold hardiness. 4 more species are listed as both native and introduced and kept in a separate section.

County summary · USDA PLANTS and Kew WCVP

Gonzales County, Texas

Native species: 421 Typical Texas county: 145 (median of 254 counties)
Garden-ready natives: 164 Typical Texas county: 61
Share by type (all 421 native species): Percent of the 421 native species in each growth type

Tree 8% (32)
Shrub 2% (9)
Wildflower (forb) 57% (239)
Grass or grass-like 26% (108)
Vine 6% (26)
Fern 2% (7)

Wildflowers make up the largest share of the native list (57%), followed by grasses and grass-like plants (26%).

Recorded native ranges can include long-established populations that spread from gardens; check your state’s native plant society list for local guidance. How native status is decided.

ZIP codes mainly in this county fall in USDA hardiness zone 9a (2023 map).

The native plant list

Garden-ready natives 164

Native species with PLANTS growing records (height, light, moisture, minimum temperature). “—” means PLANTS has no value.

Garden-ready native plants of Gonzales County, Texas
Plant	Type	Height	Light	Water use	Hardy to
American beautyberry Callicarpa americana	Shrub	6 ft	Sun–part shade	Low	Zone 6b
American cupscale Sacciolepis striata	Grass or grass-like	3 ft	Sun	Low	Zone 5b
American holly Ilex opaca	Tree	40 ft	Shade-tolerant	Medium	Zone 5a
American pokeweed Phytolacca americana	Wildflower (forb)	7.3 ft	Shade-tolerant	Medium	Zone 4a
American water-willow Justicia americana	Wildflower (forb)	2.5 ft	Shade-tolerant	Medium	Zone 4b
arrowleaf tearthumb Polygonum sagittatum	Vine	1 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 6a
beaked spikerush Eleocharis rostellata	Grass or grass-like	3 ft	Sun	High	Zone 4b
black grama Bouteloua eriopoda	Grass or grass-like	2 ft	Sun	Low	Zone 5a
blackeyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta	Wildflower (forb)	1 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 5a
blackjack oak Quercus marilandica	Tree	25 ft	Sun	Low	Zone 6a
blue mistflower Conoclinium coelestinum	Wildflower (forb)	3.2 ft	Shade-tolerant	Medium	Zone 6a
bluntleaf bedstraw Galium obtusum	Wildflower (forb)	1.5 ft	Shade-tolerant	High	Zone 4a
boxelder Acer negundo	Tree	60 ft	Shade-tolerant	Medium	Zone 2b
broadleaf carpetgrass Axonopus compressus	Grass or grass-like	1 ft	Sun	High	Zone 7a
broomsedge bluestem Andropogon virginicus	Grass or grass-like	3 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 5b
brownseed paspalum Paspalum plicatulum	Grass or grass-like	3.3 ft	Sun–part shade	Low	Zone 8a
buffalograss Bouteloua dactyloides	Grass or grass-like	6 in	Sun	Medium	Zone 3b
bulbous bittercress Cardamine bulbosa	Wildflower (forb)	1.4 ft	Shade-tolerant	Medium	Zone 4a
bur oak Quercus macrocarpa	Tree	100 ft	Sun–part shade	Medium	Zone 3b
bushy seaside tansy Borrichia frutescens	Shrub	2.6 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 9a
butterfly milkweed Asclepias tuberosa	Wildflower (forb)	2 ft	Sun	Low	Zone 4a
calico aster Symphyotrichum lateriflorum	Wildflower (forb)	4 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 4a
California bulrush Schoenoplectus californicus	Grass or grass-like	6.6 ft	Sun	High	Zone 9a
Canada germander Teucrium canadense	Wildflower (forb)	3.3 ft	Sun–part shade	High	Zone 3a
Canada goldenrod Solidago altissima	Wildflower (forb)	5 ft	Sun–part shade	Medium	Zone 4b
Canadian horseweed Conyza canadensis	Wildflower (forb)	5 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 12b
cardinalflower Lobelia cardinalis	Wildflower (forb)	5.9 ft	Shade-tolerant	Low	Zone 4a
Carolina desert-thorn Lycium carolinianum	Shrub	9 ft	Sun	High	Zone 9a
Carolina elephantsfoot Elephantopus carolinianus	Wildflower (forb)	2.7 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 6a
Carolina foxtail Alopecurus carolinianus	Grass or grass-like	1.7 ft	Sun	Low	Zone 3a
cedar elm Ulmus crassifolia	Tree	90 ft	Sun–part shade	Medium	Zone 6a
Chickasaw plum Prunus angustifolia	Tree	12 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 4b
cinnamon fern Osmunda cinnamomea	Fern	4.9 ft	Shade-tolerant	Medium	Zone 4a
clasping coneflower Dracopis amplexicaulis	Wildflower (forb)	2 ft	Sun	High	Zone 10b
climbing hempvine Mikania scandens	Vine	1 ft	Shade-tolerant	Medium	Zone 3b
coast cockspur grass Echinochloa walteri	Grass or grass-like	6.5 ft	Sun	High	Zone 10b
common blue violet Viola sororia	Wildflower (forb)	4 in	Sun–part shade	High	Zone 4b
common buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis	Tree	15 ft	Shade-tolerant	High	Zone 4a
common hoptree Ptelea trifoliata	Tree	25 ft	Sun–part shade	High	Zone 4a
common rush Juncus effusus	Grass or grass-like	6.6 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 3b
common sneezeweed Helenium autumnale	Wildflower (forb)	4.9 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 3a
common threesquare Schoenoplectus pungens	Grass or grass-like	4.9 ft	Sun	High	Zone 3b
cucumberleaf sunflower Helianthus debilis	Wildflower (forb)	6 in	Sun	Medium	Zone 9b
delta arrowhead Sagittaria platyphylla	Wildflower (forb)	3 ft	Sun	High	Zone 6a
devil's beggartick Bidens frondosa	Wildflower (forb)	4 ft	Sun–part shade	Medium	Zone 12a
dotted smartweed Polygonum punctatum	Wildflower (forb)	3.2 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 10b
dwarf palmetto Sabal minor	Tree	9 ft	Shade-tolerant	High	Zone 8a
dwarf St. Johnswort Hypericum mutilum	Wildflower (forb)	2.6 ft	Sun–part shade	Medium	Zone 5a
eastern baccharis Baccharis halimifolia	Tree	10 ft	Sun–part shade	High	Zone 7a
eastern gamagrass Tripsacum dactyloides	Grass or grass-like	5 ft	Sun	High	Zone 5a
eastern narrowleaf sedge Carex amphibola	Grass or grass-like	2 ft	Shade-tolerant	Medium	Zone 7a
eastern redcedar Juniperus virginiana	Tree	50 ft	Sun–part shade	Low	Zone 3a
fall panicgrass Panicum dichotomiflorum	Grass or grass-like	3.3 ft	Sun	High	Zone 3a
false daisy Eclipta prostrata	Wildflower (forb)	3.2 ft	Sun–part shade	Medium	Zone 10b
false indigo bush Amorpha fruticosa	Shrub	15 ft	Sun	Low	Zone 3b
farkleberry Vaccinium arboreum	Tree	28 ft	Shade-tolerant	Medium	Zone 6a
flatstem spikerush Eleocharis compressa	Grass or grass-like	2 ft	Sun	High	Zone 4a
fourwing saltbush Atriplex canescens	Shrub	4 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 3a
giant cutgrass Zizaniopsis miliacea	Grass or grass-like	9 ft	Sun	High	Zone 8b
giant goldenrod Solidago gigantea	Wildflower (forb)	8.2 ft	Sun–part shade	Medium	Zone 4a
golden crownbeard Verbesina encelioides	Wildflower (forb)	2 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 5a
golden tickseed Coreopsis tinctoria	Wildflower (forb)	3 ft	Sun–part shade	High	Zone 12b
grassleaf rush Juncus marginatus	Grass or grass-like	2 ft	Sun–part shade	Medium	Zone 5a
graybark grape Vitis cinerea	Vine	50 ft	Sun–part shade	Medium	Zone 6b
green ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica	Tree	80 ft	Shade-tolerant	Medium	Zone 2b
green hawthorn Crataegus viridis	Tree	30 ft	Sun	High	Zone 5a
groundnut Apios americana	Vine	1 ft	Shade-tolerant	Medium	Zone 5a
Gulf Coast spikerush Eleocharis cellulosa	Grass or grass-like	2.6 ft	Sun	High	Zone 8b
gulf cordgrass Spartina spartinae	Grass or grass-like	6.6 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 9a
hairy grama Bouteloua hirsuta	Grass or grass-like	6 in	Sun	Low	Zone 3b
halberdleaf rosemallow Hibiscus laevis	Wildflower (forb)	8 ft	Sun–part shade	High	Zone 6a
haspan flatsedge Cyperus haspan	Grass or grass-like	3.2 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 8a
heartleaf peppervine Ampelopsis cordata	Vine	2 ft	Shade-tolerant	Medium	Zone 6b
hop sedge Carex lupulina	Grass or grass-like	4.3 ft	Sun–part shade	Medium	Zone 3b
Illinois bundleflower Desmanthus illinoensis	Wildflower (forb)	3 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 5b
Indian blanket Gaillardia pulchella	Wildflower (forb)	2 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 10b
Indian woodoats Chasmanthium latifolium	Grass or grass-like	4.6 ft	Shade-tolerant	Medium	Zone 4a
Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans	Grass or grass-like	6 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 3b
Indianhemp Apocynum cannabinum	Wildflower (forb)	3.3 ft	Sun–part shade	High	Zone 3a
jointed spikesedge Eleocharis equisetoides	Grass or grass-like	3.2 ft	Sun	High	Zone 4a
late purple aster Symphyotrichum patens	Wildflower (forb)	2.5 ft	Shade-tolerant	Medium	Zone 3b
lavender thrift Limonium carolinianum	Wildflower (forb)	2 ft	Sun	High	Zone 6b
little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium	Grass or grass-like	3 ft	Sun	Low	Zone 3b
live oak Quercus virginiana	Tree	50 ft	Sun–part shade	Medium	Zone 8a
manyspike flatsedge Cyperus polystachyos	Grass or grass-like	1.6 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 12a
marsh flatsedge Cyperus pseudovegetus	Grass or grass-like	2.5 ft	Sun	High	Zone 8a
marsh seedbox Ludwigia palustris	Wildflower (forb)	2 in	Sun	High	Zone 4a
mockernut hickory Carya tomentosa	Tree	85 ft	Sun–part shade	Medium	Zone 4a
narrowleaf blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium angustifolium	Wildflower (forb)	2 ft	Sun–part shade	Medium	Zone 7a
needle spikerush Eleocharis acicularis	Grass or grass-like	8 in	Sun	Medium	Zone 5a
nimblewill Muhlenbergia schreberi	Grass or grass-like	3.2 ft	Shade-tolerant	Low	Zone 4a
Nuttall's povertyweed Monolepis nuttalliana	Wildflower (forb)	10 in	Sun	Medium	Zone 12a
Osage-orange Maclura pomifera	Tree	35 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 5a
panicledleaf ticktrefoil Desmodium paniculatum	Wildflower (forb)	3 ft	Sun–part shade	Low	Zone 6a
partridge pea Chamaecrista fasciculata	Wildflower (forb)	2.4 ft	Shade-tolerant	Medium	Zone 7a
pecan Carya illinoinensis	Tree	120 ft	Sun	High	Zone 5a
Pennsylvania bittercress Cardamine pensylvanica	Wildflower (forb)	1.5 ft	Shade-tolerant	Medium	Zone 4a
peppervine Nekemias arborea	Vine	1 in	Shade-tolerant	Medium	Zone 6a
Philadelphia fleabane Erigeron philadelphicus	Wildflower (forb)	2.8 ft	Sun–part shade	Medium	Zone 4b
pickerelweed Pontederia cordata	Wildflower (forb)	3.2 ft	Sun	High	Zone 5a
plains lovegrass Eragrostis intermedia	Grass or grass-like	2.7 ft	Sun	Low	Zone 5a
possumhaw Ilex decidua	Tree	33 ft	Shade-tolerant	Medium	Zone 5b
post oak Quercus stellata	Tree	60 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 4a
prairie cordgrass Spartina pectinata	Grass or grass-like	8 ft	Sun	High	Zone 3b
prairie fleabane Erigeron strigosus	Wildflower (forb)	3 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 4b
prairie wedgescale Sphenopholis obtusata	Grass or grass-like	3.2 ft	Sun–part shade	Medium	Zone 3a
purple poppymallow Callirhoe involucrata	Wildflower (forb)	1 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 3b
purple threeawn Aristida purpurea	Grass or grass-like	1.4 ft	Sun	Low	Zone 4a
purpletop tridens Tridens flavus	Grass or grass-like	2.5 ft	Sun	Low	Zone 5a
ravenfoot sedge Carex crus-corvi	Grass or grass-like	3 ft	Sun–part shade	Medium	Zone 4b
red buckeye Aesculus pavia	Tree	25 ft	Shade-tolerant	High	Zone 5a
redtop panicgrass Panicum rigidulum	Grass or grass-like	3.3 ft	Sun	High	Zone 4a
rice cutgrass Leersia oryzoides	Grass or grass-like	4.9 ft	Sun	High	Zone 4a
roughleaf dogwood Cornus drummondii	Tree	20 ft	Sun–part shade	Low	Zone 4b
roundhead rush Juncus validus	Grass or grass-like	3.2 ft	Sun–part shade	High	Zone 7a
salt heliotrope Heliotropium curassavicum	Wildflower (forb)	1.2 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 4b
sassafras Sassafras albidum	Tree	75 ft	Sun	Low	Zone 4b
saw greenbrier Smilax bona-nox	Vine	4 ft	Shade-tolerant	Medium	Zone 5b
sawtooth blackberry Rubus argutus	Shrub	8.2 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 6a
sawtooth sunflower Helianthus grosseserratus	Wildflower (forb)	5 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 3a
shoreline sedge Carex hyalinolepis	Grass or grass-like	4 ft	Sun–part shade	High	Zone 4b
shortbristle horned beaksedge Rhynchospora corniculata	Grass or grass-like	6.6 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 6a
Shumard's oak Quercus shumardii	Tree	100 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 5a
sideoats grama Bouteloua curtipendula	Grass or grass-like	3 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 3a
smallspike false nettle Boehmeria cylindrica	Wildflower (forb)	3.9 ft	Shade-tolerant	Medium	Zone 4a
smooth beggartick Bidens laevis	Wildflower (forb)	3.3 ft	Sun–part shade	High	Zone 12b
softstem bulrush Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani	Grass or grass-like	9 ft	Sun	High	Zone 3b
Spanish moss Tillandsia usneoides	Vine	—	Shade-tolerant	Medium	Zone 9b
splitbeard bluestem Andropogon ternarius	Grass or grass-like	3.9 ft	Shade-tolerant	Low	Zone 5b
spreading alkaliweed Cressa truxillensis	Wildflower (forb)	10 in	Sun	Medium	Zone 6a
squarestem spikerush Eleocharis quadrangulata	Grass or grass-like	4 ft	Sun	High	Zone 4b
stalkless yellowcress Rorippa sessiliflora	Wildflower (forb)	1.5 ft	Sun–part shade	High	Zone 12b
stiff goldenrod Oligoneuron rigidum	Wildflower (forb)	3.6 ft	Sun–part shade	Medium	Zone 3a
strawcolored flatsedge Cyperus strigosus	Grass or grass-like	3.2 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 4a
sugarberry Celtis laevigata	Tree	80 ft	Shade-tolerant	High	Zone 5a
sugarcane plumegrass Saccharum giganteum	Grass or grass-like	9.8 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 4b
swamp milkweed Asclepias incarnata	Wildflower (forb)	4.9 ft	Sun	High	Zone 3b
swamp smartweed Polygonum hydropiperoides	Wildflower (forb)	—	Sun	Medium	Zone 10b
swamp sunflower Helianthus angustifolius	Wildflower (forb)	5.6 ft	Sun–part shade	Medium	Zone 4b
sweetscent Pluchea odorata	Wildflower (forb)	4.9 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 6a
switchgrass Panicum virgatum	Grass or grass-like	5 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 3a
tapertip flatsedge Cyperus acuminatus	Grass or grass-like	1.3 ft	Sun–part shade	High	Zone 3b
tapertip rush Juncus acuminatus	Grass or grass-like	3 ft	Sun–part shade	High	Zone 4a
teal lovegrass Eragrostis hypnoides	Grass or grass-like	4 in	Sun	High	Zone 3b
thinfruit sedge Carex flaccosperma	Grass or grass-like	1 ft	Shade-tolerant	High	Zone 6b
Torrey's rush Juncus torreyi	Grass or grass-like	3.1 ft	Sun	Medium	Zone 3b
trumpet creeper Campsis radicans	Vine	2 ft	Sun	Low	Zone 6a
turkey tangle fogfruit Phyla nodiflora	Wildflower (forb)	2 in	Sun–part shade	Low	Zone 5b
twoheaded water-starwort Callitriche heterophylla	Wildflower (forb)	—	Sun	High	Zone 4a
upright sedge Carex stricta	Grass or grass-like	4.2 ft	Shade-tolerant	Medium	Zone 3b
variable panicgrass Dichanthelium commutatum	Grass or grass-like	4.9 ft	Sun–part shade	Low	Zone 4b
velvet panicum Dichanthelium scoparium	Grass or grass-like	4.3 ft	Shade-tolerant	Medium	Zone 3b
vine mesquite Panicum obtusum	Grass or grass-like	2 ft	Sun–part shade	High	Zone 5a
Virginia wildrye Elymus virginicus	Grass or grass-like	2.5 ft	Shade-tolerant	Medium	Zone 4b
waterthread pondweed Potamogeton diversifolius	Wildflower (forb)	3.2 ft	Sun	High	Zone 3b
wax myrtle Morella cerifera	Tree	10 ft	Sun	High	Zone 7a
white avens Geum canadense	Wildflower (forb)	3.9 ft	Shade-tolerant	Medium	Zone 4a
white panicle aster Symphyotrichum lanceolatum	Wildflower (forb)	6 ft	Sun–part shade	High	Zone 3b
whitegrass Leersia virginica	Grass or grass-like	3.9 ft	Shade-tolerant	Medium	Zone 3a
winged sumac Rhus copallinum	Tree	8 ft	Sun	Low	Zone 4b
wingleaf primrose-willow Ludwigia decurrens	Wildflower (forb)	4.5 ft	Shade-tolerant	High	Zone 8a
winter bentgrass Agrostis hyemalis	Grass or grass-like	3.5 ft	Sun–part shade	High	Zone 4a
wrinkleleaf goldenrod Solidago rugosa	Wildflower (forb)	3.3 ft	Sun–part shade	Medium	Zone 4a
yaupon Ilex vomitoria	Tree	25 ft	Sun–part shade	Low	Zone 8a

Other native species recorded here 257

PLANTS has no growing records for these, so light, moisture, height and zone filters cannot include them. Many are wild species seldom sold by nurseries.

Alabama supplejack Berchemia scandens
amberique-bean Strophostyles helvola
American bird's-foot trefoil Lotus unifoliolatus
American burnweed Erechtites hieraciifolius
American hogpeanut Amphicarpaea bracteata
American star-thistle Centaurea americana
American wild carrot Daucus pusillus
angularfruit milkvine Matelea gonocarpos
annual marsh elder Iva annua
annual phlox Phlox drummondii
azure blue sage Salvia azurea
Baldwin's flatsedge Cyperus croceus
Baldwin's ironweed Vernonia baldwinii
beaked cornsalad Valerianella radiata
beaked panicgrass Panicum anceps
big carpetgrass Axonopus furcatus
bigpod sesbania Sesbania herbacea
bigseed alfalfa dodder Cuscuta indecora
bigtop lovegrass Eragrostis hirsuta
blue mudplantain Heteranthera limosa
bluejacket Tradescantia ohiensis
bluestem pricklypoppy Argemone albiflora
bluntlobe cliff fern Woodsia obtusa
bog yelloweyed grass Xyris difformis
Bosc's mille graines Oldenlandia boscii
branched foldwing Dicliptera brachiata
bright green spikerush Eleocharis olivacea
bristly greenbrier Smilax tamnoides
bristly scaleseed Spermolepis echinata
buffalobur nightshade Solanum rostratum
camphor pluchea Pluchea camphorata
camphorweed Heterotheca subaxillaris
Canadian blacksnakeroot Sanicula canadensis
carelessweed Amaranthus palmeri
Carolina anemone Anemone caroliniana
Carolina canarygrass Phalaris caroliniana
Carolina coralbead Cocculus carolinus
Carolina desert-chicory Pyrrhopappus carolinianus
Carolina draba Draba reptans
Carolina geranium Geranium carolinianum
Carolina larkspur Delphinium carolinianum
Carolina mosquitofern Azolla caroliniana
Carolina ponysfoot Dichondra carolinensis
Carolina puccoon Lithospermum caroliniense
Carolina woollywhite Hymenopappus scabiosaeus
Cherokee sedge Carex cherokeensis
clammy groundcherry Physalis heterophylla
clasping Venus' looking-glass Triodanis perfoliata
clustered mille graines Oldenlandia uniflora
common carpetgrass Axonopus fissifolius
creeping burhead Echinodorus cordifolius
creeping lespedeza Lespedeza repens
creeping primrose-willow Ludwigia repens
crowpoison Nothoscordum bivalve
Cuman ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya
cusp dodder Cuscuta cuspidata
cutleaf evening primrose Oenothera laciniata
cutleaf groundcherry Physalis angulata
cylindricfruit primrose-willow Ludwigia glandulosa
cypress panicgrass Dichanthelium dichotomum
Dakota mock vervain Glandularia bipinnatifida
diamond-flowers Stenaria nigricans
downy hawthorn Crataegus mollis
downy lobelia Lobelia puberula
Drummond's aster Symphyotrichum drummondii
dwarf saltwort Salicornia bigelovii
early wildrye Elymus macgregorii
Engelmann's daisy Engelmannia peristenia
erect spiderling Boerhavia erecta
eyebane Chamaesyce nutans
false boneset Brickellia eupatorioides
fire on the mountain Euphorbia cyathophora
fiveangled dodder Cuscuta pentagona
flatspine stickseed Lappula occidentalis
floating marshpennywort Hydrocotyle ranunculoides
Florida paspalum Paspalum floridanum
fragrant spikesedge Kyllinga odorata
gaping grass Steinchisma hians
grassy arrowhead Sagittaria graminea
great ragweed Ambrosia trifida
green antelopehorn Asclepias viridis
green carpetweed Mollugo verticillata
groundplum milkvetch Astragalus crassicarpus
gum bully Sideroxylon lanuginosum
hairy bedstraw Galium pilosum
hairy fimbry Fimbristylis puberula
hairy pinweed Lechea mucronata
hairy waterclover Marsilea vestita
hairyfruit chervil Chaerophyllum tainturieri
hairyseed paspalum Paspalum pubiflorum
heartleaf nettle Urtica chamaedryoides
heartleaf skullcap Scutellaria ovata
heartwing sorrel Rumex hastatulus
Heller's rosette grass Dichanthelium oligosanthes
hemlock waterparsnip Sium suave
herb of grace Bacopa monnieri
herbwilliam Ptilimnium capillaceum
hoary verbena Verbena stricta
hogwort Croton capitatus
honeyvine Cynanchum laeve
horned pondweed Zannichellia palustris
humped bladderwort Utricularia gibba
husk tomato Physalis pubescens
hyssopleaf sandmat Chamaesyce hyssopifolia
Java-bean Senna obtusifolia
Juda's bush Iresine rhizomatosa
jumpseed Polygonum virginianum
juniper leaf Polypremum procumbens
keeled bulrush Isolepis carinata
kidneyshape sedge Carex reniformis
lanceleaf blanketflower Gaillardia aestivalis
lanceleaf fogfruit Phyla lanceolata
largebracted plantain Plantago aristata
largeseed forget-me-not Myosotis macrosperma
lateflowering thoroughwort Eupatorium serotinum
Leavenworth's sedge Carex leavenworthii
lesser duckweed Lemna aequinoctialis
limestone adderstongue Ophioglossum engelmannii
littlehip hawthorn Crataegus spathulata
lizard's tail Saururus cernuus
Long's sedge Carex longii
longleaf groundcherry Physalis longifolia
Louisiana vetch Vicia ludoviciana
low spearwort Ranunculus pusillus
lyreleaf sage Salvia lyrata
marsh bristlegrass Setaria parviflora
marsh mermaidweed Proserpinaca palustris
Maryland meadowbeauty Rhexia mariana
matted sandmat Chamaesyce serpens
meadow garlic Allium canadense
mudbank crowngrass Paspalum dissectum
Muhlenberg's sedge Carex muehlenbergii
narrowleaf gumweed Grindelia lanceolata
narrowleaf pinweed Lechea tenuifolia
narrowleaf purple coneflower Echinacea angustifolia
narrowleaf stoneseed Lithospermum incisum
neckweed Veronica peregrina
netted chainfern Woodwardia areolata
nits and lice Hypericum drummondii
Nuttall's prairie parsley Polytaenia nuttallii
Nuttall's sensitive-briar Mimosa nuttallii
pale dock Rumex altissimus
pale spikerush Eleocharis macrostachya
pasture heliotrope Heliotropium tenellum
Pennsylvania everlasting Gamochaeta pensylvanica
Pennsylvania pellitory Parietaria pensylvanica
Peruvian dodder Cuscuta obtusiflora
Pickering's dawnflower Stylisma pickeringii
piedmont staggerbush Lyonia mariana
pinkladies Oenothera speciosa
plains snakecotton Froelichia floridana
pleatleaf knotweed Polygonum tenue
poorjoe Diodia teres
poverty dropseed Sporobolus vaginiflorus
prairie sandmat Chamaesyce missurica
prairie spiderwort Tradescantia occidentalis
prairie tea Croton monanthogynus
prairie threeawn Aristida oligantha
prickly fanpetals Sida spinosa
prune-fruit sedge Carex corrugata
purple meadow-rue Thalictrum dasycarpum
queen's-delight Stillingia sylvatica
red lovegrass Eragrostis secundiflora
redseed plantain Plantago rhodosperma
reflexed sedge Carex retroflexa
ribseed sandmat Chamaesyce glyptosperma
Richard's yelloweyed grass Xyris jupicai
rope dodder Cuscuta glomerata
roughfruit scaleseed Spermolepis divaricata
roundfruit hedgehyssop Gratiola virginiana
roundseed panicgrass Dichanthelium sphaerocarpon
rusty blackhaw Viburnum rufidulum
sand bittercress Cardamine parviflora
sand spikerush Eleocharis montevidensis
sandpaper vervain Verbena scabra
scaldweed Cuscuta gronovii
scarlet spiderling Boerhavia coccinea
seedbox Ludwigia alternifolia
shortpod draba Draba brachycarpa
shortstalk chickweed Cerastium brachypodum
showy evening primrose Oenothera grandis
silverleaf nightshade Solanum elaeagnifolium
silvery everlasting Gamochaeta argyrinea
sixweeks fescue Vulpia octoflora
sleepy silene Silene antirrhina
slender beaksedge Rhynchospora gracilenta
slender fimbry Fimbristylis autumnalis
slender lespedeza Lespedeza virginica
slender snakecotton Froelichia gracilis
slender threeseed mercury Acalypha gracilens
slimpod rush Juncus diffusissimus
slimspike threeawn Aristida longespica
smallflower fumewort Corydalis micrantha
snakemouth orchid Pogonia ophioglossoides
sneezeweed Helenium amarum
snow on the mountain Euphorbia marginata
soft goldenaster Chrysopsis pilosa
soft-hair marbleseed Onosmodium bejariense
southern annual saltmarsh aster Symphyotrichum divaricatum
southern dewberry Rubus trivialis
southern jointweed Polygonella americana
southern sedge Carex austrina
Spanish needles Bidens bipinnata
spoonleaf purple everlasting Gamochaeta purpurea
spotted beebalm Monarda punctata
spotted sandmat Chamaesyce maculata
spotted water hemlock Cicuta maculata
spurred butterfly pea Centrosema virginianum
St. Andrew's cross Hypericum hypericoides
starved panicgrass Dichanthelium depauperatum
stiff cowbane Oxypolis rigidior
stout rush Juncus nodatus
stream orchid Epipactis gigantea
swamp thistle Cirsium muticum
tall lespedeza Lespedeza stuevei
tapered rosette grass Dichanthelium acuminatum
Texas bluegrass Poa arachnifera
Texas signalgrass Urochloa texana
Texas star Sabatia campestris
Texas vervain Verbena halei
thin paspalum Paspalum setaceum
tiny bluet Houstonia pusilla
trailing pearlwort Sagina decumbens
tumble windmill grass Chloris verticillata
tumblegrass Schedonnardus paniculatus
twisted spikerush Eleocharis tortilis
upright burhead Echinodorus berteroi
Vahl's fimbry Fimbristylis vahlii
velvetweed Oenothera curtiflora
Viola ×primulifolia Viola ×primulifolia
Virginia buttonweed Diodia virginiana
Virginia chainfern Woodwardia virginica
Virginia dwarfdandelion Krigia virginica
Virginia groundcherry Physalis virginiana
Virginia pepperweed Lepidium virginicum
Virginia plantain Plantago virginica
Virginia tephrosia Tephrosia virginiana
Virginia winged rockcress Sibara virginica
warty spurge Euphorbia spathulata
wedgeleaf Phyla cuneifolia
wedgeleaf draba Draba cuneifolia
western rough goldenrod Solidago radula
western tansymustard Descurainia pinnata
white crownbeard Verbesina virginica
white four o'clock Mirabilis albida
white heath aster Symphyotrichum ericoides
white vervain Verbena urticifolia
whitemouth dayflower Commelina erecta
whorled marshpennywort Hydrocotyle verticillata
whorled milkweed Asclepias verticillata
willowleaf aster Symphyotrichum praealtum
winged lythrum Lythrum alatum
woodland lettuce Lactuca floridana
Wright's plantain Plantago wrightiana
yankeeweed Eupatorium compositifolium
yellow thistle Cirsium horridulum
zigzag bladderwort Utricularia subulata

Also listed as native and introduced here 4

PLANTS labels these species both native and introduced in this state: some forms are native and others were brought in from elsewhere. Most gardeners should choose plants from the main list.

common pepperweedLepidium densiflorum
common reedPhragmites australis
floating primrose-willowLudwigia peploides
Mexican teaDysphania ambrosioides

Compared with Texas

The typical county is the median of the 254 Texas counties with PLANTS county records; the statewide figure counts every species native anywhere in the state. More species is not better or worse: counties differ in size, habitat and how thoroughly they have been surveyed.

Native species counts, Gonzales County and Texas
Measure	Gonzales County	Typical county	Statewide
Native species	421	145	1,683
Garden-ready natives	164	61	656
Tree	32	—	164
Shrub	9	—	90
Wildflower (forb)	239	—	877
Grass or grass-like	108	—	431
Vine	26	—	83
Fern	7	—	38

Neighboring counties

Counties that share a ZIP code with Gonzales County.

Bastrop County, TX 156 garden-ready
Caldwell County, TX 49 garden-ready
DeWitt County, TX 50 garden-ready
Fayette County, TX 89 garden-ready
Guadalupe County, TX 50 garden-ready
Karnes County, TX 78 garden-ready
Lavaca County, TX 45 garden-ready
Wilson County, TX 26 garden-ready

Source & data date

Source: USDA NRCS PLANTS Database: county distribution records, native status and plant characteristics. CC0 (public domain dedication, per the data.gov catalog record).; Kew’s World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP): native or introduced status by state. CC BY 3.0.; USGS US-RIIS (ver. 2.0): species listed as introduced are excluded. CC0.
Citation: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (https://plants.usda.gov, 11/04/2026). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC USA.; Govaerts R. (ed.) (2026). WCVP: World Checklist of Vascular Plants. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Data file dated 2026-06-04, http://sftp.kew.org/pub/data-repositories/WCVP/ (retrieved 2026-11-04). Paper: Govaerts R. et al. (2021) The World Checklist of Vascular Plants, a continuously updated resource for exploring global plant diversity. Scientific Data 8, 215.
Data date: Retrieved from PLANTS on November 4, 2026; WCVP data file dated June 4, 2026.
Zones: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023) ZIP table: PRISM Group, Oregon State University, https://prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed November 3, 2026. Plant zones on this site are our estimate, not the official map.
Scope: Gonzales County (county FIPS 48177), Texas. 421 native species from PLANTS county distribution records; garden-ready = species with a PLANTS characteristics record.
Method: A species is listed when it is recorded as native to the state in Kew’s World Checklist of Vascular Plants and USDA PLANTS, and recorded in the county by USDA PLANTS. Species PLANTS labels both native and introduced are listed separately. Full method · All sources

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