ONPS News & Events
Exciting news, the 2021 Volume of the Oklahoma Native Plant Record is now available. Order your 2021 volume TODAY. Click here for details.
Watch archived videos meetings and presentations, including Doug Tallamy's talk, by clicking here.
Upcoming Events and Activities
Save the dates May 5-7 for Wonders of Wildflowers in the Wichita Mountains. Three days of plant walks, presenters, and hanging out. Watch for registration information.
Upcoming field trips and gatherings
Mar. 17 - Fabulous Wildflower Fridays at Panera Bread, 5601 E 41st Street, Tulsa, 5:30 pm.
Apr. 6 - Central Chapter meeting, 6:30 socializing and 7 pm program at OCU Dawdon-Loeffler Building. Vonceil Harmon, a natural resources biologist, presenting on how industries and organizations can use conservation agreements to benefit monarchs and other pollinators
Apr. 15 - Field Trip at Oxley Thrush Trail. Meet at the Interpretive Building at 10:30 am.
Apr. 21 - Fabulous Wildflower Fridays at Panera Bread, 5601 E 41st Street, Tulsa, 5:30 pm.
Apr. 22 - EARTH DAY Field Trip to Keystone State Park. Meet at the park office at 10 am.
May 1 - NE Chapter meeting, 6:30 socializing and 7pm program at the Tulsa Garden Center, Tulsa.
May 5-7 - Wonders of Wildflowers in the Wichita Mountains, watch for registration information coming soon.
May. 19 - Fabulous Wildflower Fridays at Panera Bread, 5601 E 41st Street, Tulsa, 5:30 pm.
May 21 - Jacob DeVecchio from Oklahoma Fungi Company to lead a mushroom walk. Meet at 2 p.m. Martin Nature Park Center, 5000 W Memorial Rd, OKC.
May. 27 - Field Trip at Rogers State University Education Reserve at 10 am in the parking lot.
June 3 - Deep Fork River: botanizing Disturbed Areas and Old Field (DAOF). Meet at 10 a.m. at Shoe Carnival, 1701 Belle Island Blvd, OKC to caravan to site.
June 3 - Pawnee City Lake Area auto/ walk tour. Meet CR Ledford at the Bathhouse at 9am.
June 16 - Fabulous Wildflower Fridays at Panera Bread, 5601 E 41st Street, Tulsa, 5:30 pm.
July 22 - Plant Walk: Plants of the Cross Timbers Ecoregion. Arcadia Lake Park
Aug. 3 - Central Chapter meeting, 6:30 socializing and 7 pm program at OCU Dawdon-Loeffler Building. Program by Dr. Chad King.
Sept. 7 - Central Chapter meeting, 6:30 socializing and 7 pm program at OCU Dawdon-Loeffler Building. Program by Grace Payne
Sept. 11 - NE Chapter meeting, 6:30 socializing and 7pm program at the Tulsa Garden Center, Tulsa. Program TBA
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 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 below 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
Historian: Fran Stallings
Directors at Large: Kathy Doss, Joe Roberts (2022), Jim Elder, Constance Murray (2023), Dennis Martin, Janet Thomas (2024), Nancy Truelove and Kathy Kuhns-Marino (2025)
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
NEW Program Explaining the Relationships Among Lichen, Moss, Algae, (and Fungi) in Our Tree Communities
Sheila Strawn, Ph.D. will share her valuable knowledge and guidance on these vital components of our forests' ecosystems. It will be "hands on" with lots of lichens to look at. Bring your hand lens or cell phone to get close up looks and bring your lichen study and field guides if you have them.
It will be at the Edmond Historical Museum, 431 S Boulevard in Edmond on April 8 at 10:30 am. It costs $5 and you have to pre-register, so here's the link:
https://www.edmondhistory.org/product/lichen-event/
For more information, contact the Education Director, Anna Studstill her email: astudstill@edmondhistory.org .
Central Chapter Meetings (Oklahoma City area)
Typically the 1st Thursday of every month at Oklahoma City University (OCU) campus. Doors open at 6:30pm for socializing and seed swap (if you’ve got ‘em); presentations begin at 7:00pm.
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.