About ONPS

Oklahoma’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 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.  
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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 join.

ONPS News & Events

The Summer Gaillardia Volume 35 No. 2 is hot off the press.  Watch for it in your mail box in the next week (June 5-12).  If you can't wait you can download this and past years issues from this web site.  Check the Publications \ Gaillardia link shown on our Home page.

The 2019 Volume of the Oklahoma Native Plant Record is on its way.
Order your 2019 volume TODAY. Click here for details.
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Due to the Covid-19 restrictions that are slowly being lifted we are now in the process of rescheduling our events.  Watch your email, Facebook or this web site.

2021 Wonders of Wildflowers Weekend
Watch for 2021 plans. 
Good news Dr. Caddell has graciously extended an invitation to ONPS to reschedule next year's WOW here.
WOW! the 2021 Wonders of Wildflowers will take place at the Selman Living Lab.  Watch for rescheduled information.

Central Chapter OSU/OKC. 
Watch for rescheduled date of Rahmona Thomson's presentation on the (October, 2019) ONPS field trip to the Selah Ranch. The ranch is a phenomenal restoration success with thousands of acres of native grasslands, numerous springs with free flowing water year round (in a dry region of Texas) and even a “new” bat cave. Several ONPS members made the trip down to the hill country; all were impressed with the ranch.

2020 Virtual Bio-Blitz Field Trips with Lynn Michael
Check the wonderful article by Lynn in the Summer Gaillardia heading your way June 4th.  Read about the sights at Lucky Springs, Arrowhead at Eufaula State Park, Keystone State Park, Okmulgee and Dripping Springs Park, and Grand Lake State Park-Bernice Area.  Other sight visits by many ONPS members with gorgeous photos also included in this issue showing what's out there.

NE Chapter - Coming this Fall
Meeting at Tulsa Garden Center will be with Rusty Grimpe. He will share about his acreage near Skiatook and his participation in the Oklahoma Natural Areas Registry program.

Rescheduling Doug Tallamy for a date in 2021 is in the works.
ONPS will co-sponsor native gardening author Doug Tallamy in 2021 for two presentations in OK!

- Edmond presentation may be at University of Central Oklahoma campus, Constitution Hall in Edmond, OK.

- Tulsa. ONPS and Tulsa Audubon Society hosts native gardening author Doug Tallamy may be at the Jenks High School.
Central Chapter Meetings (Oklahoma City area)
1st Thursday of every month.  6:30pm social followed by meeting at 7:00. OSU/OKC Horticulture Bldg, 400 N. Portland, OKC; Room. 196.

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.

Cross-Timbers Chapter Meetings (Stillwater area)
Watch for our next meeting.