Remarkable Riparian

A field guide to riparian plants within the Nueces River Basin of Texas. A publication of the Nueces River Authority. This user-friendly guide introduces the most commonly observed riparian vegetation in the Edward's Plateau and Rio Grande Plains. However, most of the plants presented herein occur in riparian areas all across Texas, including the Cross Timbers, Trans-Pecos and Rolling Plains.


Scientific Name Common Name Duration Habit Sun Water
Abutilon fruticosum Indian Mallow, Texas Indian Mallow Perennial Herb Sun Dry
Acalypha phleoides Shrubby Copperleaf, Three-seeded Mercury Perennial Herb Part-shade
Acer negundo Box Elder, Box Elder Maple, Ash-leaved Maple, Ashleaf Maple, Red River Maple, Fresno De Guajuco Perennial Tree Sun Moist
Adiantum capillus-veneris Southern Maidenhair Fern, Common Maidenhair Fern, Maidenhair Fern, Venus Hair Fern Perennial Fern Shade, Part-shade Wet, Moist
Ambrosia psilostachya Cuman Ragweed, Western Ragweed, Perennial Ragweed, Common Ragweed Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Dry
Ambrosia trifida var. texana Texan Great Ragweed, Giant Ragweed Annual Subshrub
Andropogon gerardii Big Bluestem, Tall Bluestem, Turkeyfoot Perennial Grass/Grass-like Sun, Part-shade Moist
Andropogon glomeratus Bushy Bluestem, Brushy Bluestem Perennial Grass/Grass-like Sun Wet, Moist
Anemia mexicana Mexican Fern, Mexican Flowering Fern Perennial Herb, Fern
Aristida purpurea Purple Threeawn, Purple 3-awn, Purple Three-awn, Red Threeawn Annual Grass/Grass-like Sun Dry
Baccharis neglecta False Willow, Jara Dulce, Poverty Weed, Roosevelt Weed Perennial Shrub Part-shade Dry
Bacopa monnieri Herb-of-grace, Water Hyssop, Coastal Water-hyssop Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Wet, Moist
Boehmeria cylindrica Smallspike False Nettle, Bog Hemp Perennial Herb Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist
Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. torreyana Silver Bluestem, Silver Beardgrass, Silver Beard Grass Perennial Grass/Grass-like Sun Moist, Dry
Brickellia cylindracea Gravel-bar Brickellbush Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Brickellia dentata Leafy Brickellbush Perennial Subshrub
Calyptocarpus vialis Horseherb, Straggler Daisy, Hierba Del Caballo, Lawnflower Perennial Herb Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Carya illinoinensis Pecan Perennial Tree Sun Moist
Catalpa bignonioides Southern Catalpa, Cigar Tree, Indian Bean Perennial Tree Part-shade Wet
Celtis laevigata var. reticulata Netleaf Hackberry, Netleaf Sugar Hackberry, Western Hackberry, Sugar Hackberry, Texas Sugarberry, Palo Blanco, Acibuche Perennial Tree Part-shade
Cenchrus spinifex Grass Bur, Coastal Sandbur, Field Sandspur, Southern Sandbur, Spiny Burrgrass Annual Grass/Grass-like Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Cephalanthus occidentalis Common Buttonbush, Buttonbush, Button Willow, Honey Bells, Honeybells, Honey Balls, Honeyballs, Button-bush Perennial Shrub Shade, Part-shade Wet, Moist
Chamaesyce serpens Matted Sandmat, Prostrate Spurge, Creeping Spurge Annual Herb
Chasmanthium latifolium Inland Sea Oats, Indian Wood Oats, Wild Oats, River Oats, Flathead Oats, Upland Oats, Upland Sea Oats Perennial Grass/Grass-like Shade, Part-shade Moist
Chilopsis linearis Desert Willow, Flowering Willow, Willow-leaved Catalpa, Willowleaf Catalpa, Bow Willow, Flor De Mimbre, Mimbre Perennial Tree Sun Moist, Dry
Chloris cucullata Hooded Windmill Grass, Hooded Windmillgrass Perennial Grass/Grass-like Part-shade Moist
Cicuta maculata Spotted Water Hemlock, Water-hemlock, Beaver Poison Biennial Herb Wet
Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense Jamaica Swamp Sawgrass, Jamaican Saw-grass, Saw-grass Perennial Grass/Grass-like Sun, Part-shade Wet, Moist
Clematis drummondii Old Man's Beard, Drummond's Clematis, Texas Virgin's Bower, Goat's Beard Perennial Vine Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Clematis pitcheri Purple Leatherflower, Purple Clematis, Leatherflower, Bluebill, Bellflower Clematis, Pitcher's Clematis Perennial Vine Sun, Part-shade Moist
Cocculus carolinus Carolina Snailseed, Carolina Coralbead, Carolina Moonseed, Red Berried Moonseed, Carolina Red Berried Moonseed Perennial Vine Part-shade Moist
Coreopsis tinctoria Plains Coreopsis, Golden Tickseed, Goldenwave, Calliopsis Annual Herb Sun, Part-shade Moist
Cornus drummondii Roughleaf Dogwood, Drummond's Dogwood, Rough-leaf Dogwood Perennial Tree Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Desmanthus illinoensis Illinois Bundleflower, Bundleflower, Prairie Bundle Flower, Prickleweed, Illinois Desmanthus, Prairie Mimosa Perennial Shrub Sun Moist
Dichanthelium acuminatum var. lindheimeri Lindheimer Panicgrass, Lindheimer's Rosettegrass Perennial Grass/Grass-like Sun, Part-shade
Diospyros texana Texas Persimmon, Mexican Persimmon, Black Persimmon, Chapote, Chapote Prieto Perennial Tree Sun, Part-shade Dry
Eleocharis cellulosa Gulf Coast Spikerush Perennial Grass/Grass-like
Eleocharis montevidensis Sand Spikerush, Spike Rush Perennial Grass/Grass-like Sun Wet, Moist
Eleocharis rostellata Beaked Spikerush, Leap Frog Spike Rush Perennial Grass/Grass-like Part-shade Wet
Elymus canadensis Canada Wild Rye, Canadian Wildrye, Prairie Wildrye, Nodding Wildrye Perennial Grass/Grass-like Sun, Part-shade Moist
Equisetum hyemale Scouring-rush Horsetail, Horsetail, Scouring Rush, Canuela Perennial Herb Sun, Shade, Part-shade Wet, Moist
Equisetum laevigatum Smooth Horsetail, Horsetail Perennial Herb Sun
Eupatorium serotinum White Boneset, Lateflowering Thoroughwort, Late Boneset, Late-flowering Boneset Perennial Herb Part-shade Moist
Euphorbia dentata Toothed Spurge, Toothed-leaf Poinsettia Annual Herb
Eustoma exaltatum Catchfly Prairie Gentian, Bluebell Gentian, Western Blue Gentian, Blue Marsh Lily, Small Bluebell, Catchfly Gentian, Seaside Gentian Annual Herb Sun, Part-shade Moist
Eysenhardtia texana Texas Kidneywood, Kidneywood, Bee Brush, Vara Dulce, Palo Dulce Perennial Shrub Sun Dry
Forestiera pubescens Elbowbush, Stretchberry, Spring Herald, Desert Olive, Tanglewood, Devil's Elbow, Spring Goldenglow, New Mexico Privet, Texas Forsythia Perennial Shrub Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Frangula caroliniana Carolina Buckthorn, Carolina False Buckthorn, Yellow Buckthorn, Indian Cherry, Yellowwood Perennial Tree Part-shade Moist
Fraxinus albicans Texas Ash, Mountain Ash Perennial Tree Part-shade Dry
Fraxinus greggii Gregg's Ash, Gregg Ash, Littleleaf Ash, Dogleg Ash, Escobilla, Barreta China Perennial Tree Part-shade Dry
Fuirena simplex Western Umbrella-sedge, Umbrellagrass, Western Umbrella Sedge Perennial Grass/Grass-like
Gaillardia pulchella Indian Blanket, Firewheel, Girasol Rojo Annual Herb Sun, Part-shade Dry
Galium virgatum Southwestern Bedstraw, Southwest Bedstraw Annual Herb
Garrya ovata Eggleaf Silktassel, Mexican Silktassel, Eggleaf Garrya, Zumaque, Cuauchichic, Cuauchichi, Guachichi Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Dry
Hedeoma acinoides Slender False Pennyroyal, Annual Pennyroyal, Slender Hedeoma Annual Herb Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Helenium microcephalum Smallhead Sneezeweed Annual Herb
Helianthus annuus Common Sunflower, Annual Sunflower Annual Herb Sun Dry
Helianthus maximiliani Maximilian Sunflower, Max Sunflower Perennial Herb Sun Moist, Dry
Heliotropium tenellum Pasture Heliotrope, White Heliotrope Annual Herb Sun Dry
Heteranthera limosa Blue Mudplantain, Blue Mud Plantain Annual Herb
Heterotheca subaxillaris Camphorweed, Camphor Weed Annual Herb
Hibiscus moscheutos Crimson-eyed Rose-mallow, Marshmallow Hibiscus Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Wet, Moist
Hydrocotyle ranunculoides Floating Marshpennywort, Floating Marsh-Pennywort, Floating Marsh Pennywort, Floating Pennyroyal Perennial Herb
Hydrocotyle umbellata Manyflower Marsh-pennywort, Many-flowered Marsh-pennywort, Marsh Pennywort, Water Pennywort, Money Plant Perennial Herb Sun, Shade, Part-shade Wet, Moist
Hydrocotyle verticillata var. verticillata Whorled Marshpennywort, Water-pennywort, Pennywort, Money-plant Perennial Herb Sun
Indigofera lindheimeriana Lindheimer's Indigo Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Wet, Moist
Ipomoea lindheimeri Lindheimer's Morning-glory, Blue Morning Glory Perennial Vine Sun Dry
Jatropha dioica Leatherstem, Leather Stem, Rubber Plant Perennial Subshrub Sun, Part-shade Dry
Juglans microcarpa Little Walnut, Texas Walnut, Texas Black Walnut, River Walnut, Nogalito, Nogalillo, Namboca Perennial Tree Part-shade Dry
Juncus acuminatus Tapertip Rush Perennial Grass/Grass-like Part-shade
Juncus interior Inland Rush Perennial Grass/Grass-like Sun Moist
Juncus marginatus Grassleaf Rush, Grass Leaf Rush Perennial Grass/Grass-like Part-shade
Juniperus ashei Ashe Juniper, Ashe's Juniper, Mountain Cedar, Rock Cedar, Post Cedar, Texas Cedar, Brake Cedar, Mexican Juniper, Blueberry Juniper, Ozark White Cedar, Sabino, Enebro Perennial Tree Part-shade Dry
Justicia americana American Water-willow, Water-willow Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Wet, Moist
Lantana achyranthifolia Brushland Shrubverbena, Mexican Marjoram, Veinyleaf Lantana Perennial Shrub Sun Dry
Leucophyllum frutescens Cenizo, Purple Sage, Texas Ranger, Texas Barometer Bush, Texas Silverleaf, Texas Sage, Silverleaf Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Dry
Liatris punctata Dotted Blazing Star, Dotted Gayfeather, Dotted Liatris, Purples Perennial Herb Sun Dry
Lobelia cardinalis Cardinal Flower Perennial Herb Sun, Shade, Part-shade Wet, Moist
Ludwigia octovalvis Mexican Primrose-willow, Narrow-leaf Water Primrose, Seedbox, Mexican Primrose Willow Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Moist
Ludwigia peploides Floating Primrose-willow, Water-primrose, Creeping Water-primrose Perennial Herb Sun
Lygodesmia texana Texas Skeleton Plant, Texas Skeleton Weed, Skeleton-plant, Purple Dandelion, Flowering Straw Perennial Herb Sun Dry
Lythrum californicum California Loosestrife Perennial Herb Sun Moist
Matelea reticulata Pearl Milkweed Vine, Netted Milkvine, Green Milkweed Vine, Net Vein Milkvine Perennial Vine Part-shade Dry
Maurandella antirrhiniflora Snapdragon Vine , Roving Sailor, Climbing Snapdragon, Little Snapdragon Vine Perennial Vine Part-shade Dry
Mecardonia procumbens Baby Jump-up Annual Herb
Mikania scandens Climbing Hempvine, Climbing Hempweed Perennial Vine Shade Wet
Mitreola petiolata Lax Hornpod Annual Herb
Morus rubra Red Mulberry, Moral Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Muhlenbergia lindheimeri Lindheimer's Muhly, Lindheimer Muhly, Big Muhly, Blue Muhly Perennial Grass/Grass-like Sun Moist, Dry
Myriophyllum heterophyllum Twoleaf Watermilfoil Perennial Herb
Opuntia engelmannii Cactus Apple, Prickly Pear Perennial Cactus/Succulent Sun Dry
Palafoxia callosa Small Palafox, Small Palafoxia Annual Herb Sun Dry
Panicum hallii Hall's Panicgrass, Hall's Panic Grass Perennial Grass/Grass-like
Panicum virgatum Switchgrass, Wand Panic Grass Perennial Grass/Grass-like Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Parthenium confertum Gray's Feverfew Annual, Biennial, Perennial Herb, Subshrub
Phyla nodiflora Texas Frogfruit, Turkey Tangle Fogfruit, Frogfruit Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Physalis cinerascens Smallflower Groundcherry Perennial Herb
Physostegia correllii Correll's False Dragonhead Perennial Herb
Platanus occidentalis American Sycamore, Eastern Sycamore, American Plane Tree, Plane Tree, Buttonwood, Buttonball Tree Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist
Pluchea camphorata Camphor Pluchea, Camphor Weed Annual Herb
Polygonum hydropiperoides Swamp Smartweed Perennial Herb Sun
Polygonum punctatum Dotted Smartweed Annual Herb Sun
Populus deltoides Eastern Cottonwood, Carolina Poplar, Necklace Poplar, Alamo Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Wet, Moist, Dry
Potamogeton illinoensis Illinois Pondweed Perennial Herb
Potamogeton pusillus Small Pondweed Perennial Herb
Prosopis glandulosa Honey Mesquite, Glandular Mesquite, Algarroba Perennial Tree Sun Dry
Ptelea trifoliata Wafer Ash, Common Hoptree, Hop Tree Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Wet, Moist, Dry
Quercus buckleyi Texas Red Oak, Buckley Oak, Texas Oak, Spanish Oak, Spotted Oak, Rock Oak Perennial Tree Sun, Part-shade Dry
Quercus fusiformis Escarpment Live Oak, Plateau Live Oak, Hill Country Live Oak, Texas Live Oak, Scrub Live Oak, Plateau Oak, Encino Molino, Tesmoli Perennial Tree Sun, Part-shade Dry
Ratibida columnifera Mexican Hat, Red-spike Mexican Hat, Upright Prairie Coneflower, Prairie Coneflower, Long-headed Coneflower, Thimbleflower Perennial Herb Sun Moist, Dry
Rhus virens Evergreen Sumac, Tobacco Sumac, Lambrisco, Lentrisco Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Dry
Rhynchospora colorata Whitetop Sedge, White-topped Sedge, Starrush Whitetop, Star Sedge, Star Rush Perennial Grass/Grass-like Sun, Part-shade Wet
Rhynchospora nivea Showy Whitetop Perennial Grass/Grass-like
Rubus riograndis Rio Grande Dewberry Perennial Subshrub
Ruellia nudiflora Violet Ruellia, Common Wild Petunia, Violet Wild Petunia, Wild Petunia, Hierba De La Calentura Perennial Herb Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Sagittaria platyphylla Delta Arrowhead Perennial Herb Part-shade Wet
Salix nigra Black Willow, Gulf Black Willow, Swamp Willow, Sauz Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Wet, Moist
Salvia farinacea Mealy Blue Sage, Mealy Sage, Mealycup Sage Perennial Herb Sun Moist
Salvia roemeriana Cedar Sage Perennial Herb Part-shade Dry
Sapindus saponaria Wingleaf Soapberry, Soapberry, Wild China Tree Perennial Tree
Saururus cernuus Lizard's Tail, Lizard Tail, Breastweed, Water Dragon Perennial Herb Shade, Part-shade Wet, Moist
Schoenoplectus californicus California Bulrush, California Club-rush, Giant Bulrush Perennial Herb Sun
Senegalia greggii Gregg Acacia, Gregg's Acacia, Gregg Catclaw Acacia, Gregg's Catclaw Acacia, Gregg Catclaw, Gregg's Catclaw, Texas Catclaw Acacia, Texas Catclaw, Long-flowered Catclaw Acacia, Longflower Catclaw Acacia, Long-flowered Catclaw, Longflower Catclaw, Catclaw Acacia, Catclaw, Devil's Claw, Uña De Gato Perennial Tree Sun Dry
Senna lindheimeriana Lindheimer's Senna, Velvet Leaf Senna, Velvetleaf Senna, Velvet-leaf Wild Sensitive-plant, Puppy-dog Ears Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Dry
Senna roemeriana Twoleaf Senna, Two Leaved Senna Perennial Shrub Part-shade Dry
Setaria parviflora Marsh Bristlegrass, Knotroot Bristlegrass Perennial Grass/Grass-like Part-shade Moist
Silphium integrifolium Wholeleaf Rosinweed, Entire-leaf Rosinweed Perennial Herb Sun
Smilax bona-nox Sawbriar, Saw Greenbriar, Catbriar, Bullbriar, Stretchberry Vine Perennial Vine Shade Moist, Dry
Solanum elaeagnifolium Silverleaf Nightshade, Silver-leaf Nightshade, White Horse Nettle, Trompillo, Tomato Weed, Bull Nettle Perennial Herb Sun Dry
Solidago altissima Tall Goldenrod, Late Goldenrod, Canadian Goldenrod, Canada Goldenrod Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Moist
Sorghastrum nutans Indiangrass, Yellow Indiangrass, Indian Grass Perennial Grass/Grass-like Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Styphnolobium affine Eve's Necklace, Eve's Necklacepod, Texas Sophora, Pink Sophora, Necklace Tree Perennial Tree Part-shade Dry
Styrax platanifolius ssp. stellatus Sycamoreleaf Snowbell, Hairy Sycamore-leaf Snow-bell Perennial Shrub
Taxodium distichum Bald Cypress, Baldcypress, Common Bald Cypress, Southern Bald Cypress, Deciduous Cypress, Southern Cypress, Swamp Cypress, Red Cypress, White Cypress, Yellow Cypress, Gulf Cypress, Tidewater Red Cypress Perennial Tree Sun, Part-shade Moist
Teucrium canadense American Germander, Canada Germander, Canadian Germander, Germander, Hairy Germander, Wood Sage Perennial Herb Part-shade Moist
Thymophylla pentachaeta var. pentachaeta Parralena, Fiveneedle Pricklyleaf, Dogweed, Dyssodia Perennial Herb, Subshrub Sun
Tillandsia recurvata Small Ball Moss, Ball Moss Perennial Herb
Toxicodendron radicans Eastern Poison Ivy, Poison Ivy Perennial Shrub, Vine Shade, Part-shade Moist
Tridens muticus Slim Tridens Perennial Grass/Grass-like
Tripsacum dactyloides Eastern Gamagrass, Fakahatchee Grass Perennial Grass/Grass-like Part-shade Moist
Typha domingensis Southern Cattail Perennial Herb
Ulmus americana American Elm, White Elm, Soft Elm, Water Elm, Common Elm Perennial Tree Sun, Part-shade Moist
Ulmus crassifolia Cedar Elm, Fall Elm, Basket Elm, Scrub Elm, Lime Elm, Texas Elm, Southern Rock Elm, Olmo Perennial Tree Part-shade Moist
Ungnadia speciosa Mexican Buckeye, Monilla Perennial Tree Sun, Part-shade Dry
Utricularia gibba Humped Bladderwort, Bladderwort, Conespur Bladderpod Perennial Herb Sun Wet
Vachellia rigidula Blackbrush Acacia, Blackbrush, Chaparro Prieto, Gavia Perennial Tree Part-shade Dry
Verbena canescens Gray Vervain Perennial Herb Sun Moist, Dry
Verbesina virginica Frostweed, White Crownbeard, Iceplant, Iceweed, Virginia Crownbeard, Indian Tobacco, Richweed, Squawweed Biennial, Perennial Herb Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Viguiera dentata Plateau Goldeneye, Sunflower Goldeneye, Toothleaf Goldeneye, Chimalacate, Golden-eye Perennial Herb Part-shade Dry
Vitis monticola Sweet Mountain Grape, Champin Grape Perennial Vine Sun
Vitis mustangensis Mustang Grape Perennial Vine Part-shade Dry
Xanthium strumarium Rough Cocklebur Annual Herb