About ONPSOklahoma’s amazingly diverse flora has long been of interest to state residents. In 1987, individuals from throughout the state founded the Oklahoma Native Plant Society with the purpose to encourage the study, protection, propagation, appreciation, and use of the state’s native plants. The society’s varied activities (field trips, lectures, workshops, displays, inventories, and roadside plantings) promote an awareness and understanding of some of the state’s most valued treasures.
Botanically, Oklahoma is a remarkable state! Located at the juncture of several physiographic provinces, it is indeed an ecological crossroad. Within its borders are found ~175 families, ~870 genera, and approximately 2,600 species of vascular plants—flowering plants, conifers, ferns, horsetails, and clubmosses. This flora is a complex assemblage of plants representative of different phytogeographic regions. Species characteristic of the eastern deciduous forest and central grasslands are the most common; however, species from the Rocky Mountains, the Chihuahuan and Sonoran Deserts, the Gulf Coastal Plain, and the Ozark Mountains also occur in the state. Fourteen different vegetation types are traditionally recognized. This tremendous diversity of plant species and communities reflects the considerable variation in the state’s climatic, physiographic, geological, and edaphic features. A plethora of different habitats for plants are present. More information about the flora of our great state can be found at the Flora of Oklahoma Project page. The photos seen above were submitted by our members on our Facebook page. Click on the Facebook icon at the bottom of the page to see many more photos and to submit your own. Our Facebook page is a closed group, so you'll have to ask to participate in commenting. ONPS Officers:
President: Patrick Bell Vice President: Shalini Chitturi Secretary: Debbie Drinko Treasurer: Mary Korthase Past-President: Bill Farris Directors at Large: Kathy Doss, Joe Roberts, Jim Elder, Constance Murray, Dennis Martin, and Ric Brown 2022 Slate of officers submitted for voting on at the Annual Meeting, September 24th. President: Patrick Bell Vice President: Shalini Chitturi Secretary: Debbie Drinko Treasurer: Mary Korthase Historian: Fran Stallings Directors-at-Large: Nancy Truelove, Kathy Kuhns-Marino for 2025 class; Janet Thomas, remainder of 2024 class replacement for Ric Brown who moved out of state. NEW Resource Is Here!!
"Lichen Field Guide for Oklahoma and Surrounding States" is available now. Released in June 2021. This is a companion book to "Lichen Study Guide for Oklahoma and Surrounding States". You can contact Sheila Strawn at sastrawn@hotmail.com for lichen workshops, presentations, or field trips. Sheila is the author. Sarah Hearn is the illustrator. It sells for $30. Both guides can be purchased through the Botanical Research Institute of Texas at shop.brit.org
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ONPS News & EventsWatch archived videos meetings and presentations, including Doug Tallamy's talk, by clicking here.
Upcoming Events and Activities
Fall Field Trips: We will only have two fall field trips since the weather conditions this summer have not been ideal for fall flowers, see dates below.
Please send registrations to Lynn Michael at new email: jennmichael54@gmail.com Oct. 6 - Central Chapter meeting, 6:30 socializing and 7 pm program at OCU Dawdon-Loeffler Building. We will welcome Ian and Amy Thompson who will be presenting on restoring the native plants and ecology of Nan Awaya farm, from the perspective of Choctaw traditional culture
Oct. 15 - Field trip meet at the First Wesleyan Church in Bartlesville at 10 am for a walk along Pathfinder Parkway. Oct. 21 - Fabulous Wildflower Fridays at Panera Bread, 41st Street, Tulsa, 5:30 pm. Oct. 22 - Field trip meet at Oxley Nature Center in Tulsa at 10 a.m. for a trip to the marsh and Lake Sherry. Nov. 3 - Central Chapter meeting, 6:30 socializing and 7 pm program at OCU Dawdon-Loeffler Building. Our last meeting of 2022, we will welcome Amy Buthod who will present on the Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council and its new Watch List. Amy Buthod is the Collections Manager of the Robert Bebb Herbarium and the Heritage Botanist for the Oklahoma Natural Heritage Inventory. Nov. 18 - Fabulous Wildflower Fridays at Panera Bread, 5601 E 41st Street, Tulsa, 5:30 pm. Dec. 5 - NE Chapter meeting, 6:30 socializing and 7pm program at the Tulsa Garden Center, Tulsa. Our last meeting of 2022, will have elections for position for 2023 and the program TBA. |
Central Chapter Meetings (Oklahoma City area)
Typically the 1st Thursday of every month, at our new location, OKC University (OCU) campus. Doors open at 6:30pm for socializing and seed swap (if you’ve got ‘em); presentations begin at 7:00pm. For those that can’t attend in person, this year we will offer a virtual option.
NE Chapter Meetings (Tulsa and NE Oklahoma area)
1st Monday in December, March, May, and 2nd Monday in September. 6:30pm Social and 7:00pm Meeting at the Tulsa Garden Center, Ballroom, 2435 S Peoria Ave, Tulsa
Fabulous Wildflower Fridays
Join the Northeast Chapter for Fabulous Wildflower Fridays, every third Friday of each month at 5:30pm at Panera Bread at 41st Street and Hudson Avenue.
Mycology Chapter (NE to Central Oklahoma area)
Watch for impromptu field trips when the weather is just right.
Typically the 1st Thursday of every month, at our new location, OKC University (OCU) campus. Doors open at 6:30pm for socializing and seed swap (if you’ve got ‘em); presentations begin at 7:00pm. For those that can’t attend in person, this year we will offer a virtual option.
NE Chapter Meetings (Tulsa and NE Oklahoma area)
1st Monday in December, March, May, and 2nd Monday in September. 6:30pm Social and 7:00pm Meeting at the Tulsa Garden Center, Ballroom, 2435 S Peoria Ave, Tulsa
Fabulous Wildflower Fridays
Join the Northeast Chapter for Fabulous Wildflower Fridays, every third Friday of each month at 5:30pm at Panera Bread at 41st Street and Hudson Avenue.
Mycology Chapter (NE to Central Oklahoma area)
Watch for impromptu field trips when the weather is just right.
