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

Order your 2018 volume of the Oklahoma Native Plant Record. Click here for details.
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2020 Wonders of Wildflowers Weekend
WOW! the 2020 Wonders of Wildflowers will take place at the Selman  Living Lab on May 15-16. Click here for more information.

Central Chapter Meetings
1st Thursday of every month.  6:30pm social followed by meeting at 7:00. OSU/OKC Horticulture Bldg, 400 N. Portland, OKC; Room. 196.

February 6th  ***SORRY, this event has been cancelled  due to the weather. Please spread the word. See you next month!
 
March 5th Central Chapter OSU/OKC. Flora and Biological Soil Crusts of the Selman Living Lab and Surrounding Gypsum Hills
In preparation for the Wonders of Wildflowers Weekend to be held in May at the University of Central Oklahoma’s Selman Living Lab, Gloria Caddell (Associate Dean, College of Math & Science and Professor of Biology, University of Central Oklahoma) & Sheila Strawn (Retired Adjunct Professor of Biology, University of Central Oklahoma) will present a talk on the unique flora and biological soil crusts of the Cimarron Gypsum Hills.   The area is dotted with gypsum outcrops that are “islands” of native perennials, some of which grow only on gypsum.   Also located on the surface of the outcrops are biological soil crusts, communities of tiny lichens, mosses, liverworts, cyanobacteria, and green algae.   Gloria and Sheila will describe the flora and crusts, and share some of the research being conducted on both at the Selman Living Lab. 
 
April 2nd Central Chapter OSU/OKC. Rahmona Thomson will give a 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.

May 3rd  Annual Central Chapter social outing/ picnic; time and location to be announced.

ONPS will sponsor native gardening author Doug Tallamy for two presentations in OK this June!

- June 5th (Edmond) presentation will be at University of Central Oklahoma campus, Constitution Hall in Edmond, OK at 7 pm.

- June 6th (Tulsa).
ONPS and Tulsa Audubon Society hosts native gardening author Doug Tallamy at Jenks High School, building 6 Auditorium, time to be announced.     


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.  Contact Constance Murray for details.