Native plants for Cameron County, Texas
786 native plants recorded in Cameron County, Texas
The USDA plant database has 1,054 plants recorded growing wild in Cameron County. 786 of them are native to the lower 48, and 130 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 328 wildflowers and herbs, 160 grasses and sedges, 82 shrubs, 113 low woody plants, 56 trees, 47 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 98 of them (12%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Common pepperweed (Lepidium densiflorum), Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and 20 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Cameron County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 98 | 0 | 688 |
| Half shade | 83 | 15 | 688 |
| Under trees | 66 | 32 | 688 |
| Heavy clay | 73 | 25 | 688 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 67 | 31 | 688 |
| Never watered | 46 | 52 | 688 |
| Stays soggy | 62 | 36 | 688 |
Sun all day in Cameron County: 98 rated natives
41 grasses and sedges, 27 wildflowers and herbs, 13 trees, 7 low woody plants, 6 vines, 4 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Bayhops (Ipomoea pes-caprae) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Climbing dayflower (Commelina diffusa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Climbing hempvine (Mikania scandens) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Golden tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Lavender thrift (Limonium carolinianum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Roving sailor (Maurandella antirrhiniflora) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Half shade in Cameron County: 83 rated natives
38 grasses and sedges, 25 wildflowers and herbs, 8 trees, 6 low woody plants, 3 vines, 3 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Lavender thrift (Limonium carolinianum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Roving sailor (Maurandella antirrhiniflora) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Upright prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Bayhops (Ipomoea pes-caprae) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Under trees in Cameron County: 66 rated natives
33 grasses and sedges, 18 wildflowers and herbs, 6 low woody plants, 5 trees, 3 shrubs, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Lavender thrift (Limonium carolinianum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Roving sailor (Maurandella antirrhiniflora) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Upright prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Mescal bean (Sophora secundiflora) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Heavy clay in Cameron County: 73 rated natives
26 grasses and sedges, 23 wildflowers and herbs, 10 trees, 6 low woody plants, 4 vines, 4 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Lavender thrift (Limonium carolinianum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Roving sailor (Maurandella antirrhiniflora) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Climbing dayflower (Commelina diffusa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Climbing hempvine (Mikania scandens) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Golden tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Cameron County: 67 rated natives
30 grasses and sedges, 15 wildflowers and herbs, 10 trees, 5 low woody plants, 4 shrubs, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Bayhops (Ipomoea pes-caprae) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Lavender thrift (Limonium carolinianum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Roving sailor (Maurandella antirrhiniflora) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Purple bushbean (Macroptilium atropurpureum) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Upright prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Never watered in Cameron County: 46 rated natives
19 grasses and sedges, 9 trees, 8 wildflowers and herbs, 6 low woody plants, 3 vines, 1 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Bayhops (Ipomoea pes-caprae) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Roving sailor (Maurandella antirrhiniflora) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Purple bushbean (Macroptilium atropurpureum) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Upright prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Stays soggy in Cameron County: 62 rated natives
28 grasses and sedges, 18 wildflowers and herbs, 8 trees, 3 shrubs, 3 low woody plants, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American lotus (Nelumbo lutea) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Canada germander (Teucrium canadense) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Climbing dayflower (Commelina diffusa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Climbing hempvine (Mikania scandens) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Golden tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Lavender thrift (Limonium carolinianum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Disk waterhyssop (Bacopa rotundifolia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.1 ft mature · perennial · takes saturated soil
Natives Cameron County has that most of Texas does not
239 natives here are on file in no more than 13 of Texas's 254 counties. A few of them:
- Cabbage palmetto (Sabal palmetto): only here
- Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens): only here
- Mauve (Abutilon hulseanum): only here
- Tamaulipas amaranth (Amaranthus tamaulipensis): only here
- Goatweed (Capraria biflora): only here
- Willdenow's sedge (Carex willdenowii): only here
- Sierra nakedwood (Colubrina greggii): only here
- Soliman's croton (Croton soliman): only here
- Texas craglily (Echeandia texensis): only here
- Erect tropical daisy (Egletes viscosa): only here
Where to start in Cameron County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Cameron County gives you the most rated choice (98 plants), and Bayhops (Ipomoea pes-caprae) is the easiest start on that list. Never watered is the hard one here: 46 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 688 unrated natives too.