Native plants for Willacy County, Texas
438 native plants recorded in Willacy County, Texas
The USDA plant database has 546 plants recorded growing wild in Willacy County. 438 of them are native to the lower 48, and 33 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 196 wildflowers and herbs, 106 grasses and sedges, 40 shrubs, 59 low woody plants, 19 trees, 18 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 48 of them (11%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Smooth joyweed (Alternanthera paronychioides), Spreading amaranth (Amaranthus crassipes) and 4 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Willacy County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 48 | 0 | 390 |
| Half shade | 44 | 4 | 390 |
| Under trees | 34 | 14 | 390 |
| Heavy clay | 33 | 15 | 390 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 37 | 11 | 390 |
| Never watered | 27 | 21 | 390 |
| Stays soggy | 30 | 18 | 390 |
Sun all day in Willacy County: 48 rated natives
26 grasses and sedges, 11 wildflowers and herbs, 6 low woody plants, 3 trees, 1 vines, 1 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 - Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
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 - Purple poppymallow (Callirhoe involucrata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate 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 - 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
Half shade in Willacy County: 44 rated natives
25 grasses and sedges, 10 wildflowers and herbs, 5 low woody plants, 2 trees, 1 vines, 1 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - 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 - Purple poppymallow (Callirhoe involucrata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate 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 - 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 - Golden tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Under trees in Willacy County: 34 rated natives
18 grasses and sedges, 8 wildflowers and herbs, 5 low woody plants, 2 trees, 1 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 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 - Purple poppymallow (Callirhoe involucrata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate 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 - 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 - Golden crownbeard (Verbesina encelioides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth - Valley redstem (Ammannia coccinea) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth
Heavy clay in Willacy County: 33 rated natives
14 grasses and sedges, 9 wildflowers and herbs, 6 low woody plants, 3 trees, 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 - Lavender thrift (Limonium carolinianum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
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 - 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 - Golden crownbeard (Verbesina encelioides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth - Valley redstem (Ammannia coccinea) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth
Sandy, drains fast in Willacy County: 37 rated natives
22 grasses and sedges, 7 wildflowers and herbs, 4 low woody plants, 2 trees, 1 vines, 1 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 - 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 - Purple poppymallow (Callirhoe involucrata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 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 - Alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Bushy seaside tansy (Borrichia frutescens) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Grassleaf rush (Juncus marginatus) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Never watered in Willacy County: 27 rated natives
14 grasses and sedges, 7 wildflowers and herbs, 5 low woody plants, 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 · high drought tolerance - Bayhops (Ipomoea pes-caprae) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Purple poppymallow (Callirhoe involucrata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate 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 - 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 - Alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Plains lovegrass (Eragrostis intermedia) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2.7 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
Stays soggy in Willacy County: 30 rated natives
19 grasses and sedges, 4 wildflowers and herbs, 3 low woody plants, 3 trees, 1 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - Carolina desert-thorn (Lycium carolinianum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 9 ft mature · perennial · takes saturated soil - Knotgrass (Paspalum distichum) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Needlepod rush (Juncus scirpoides) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Tapertip flatsedge (Cyperus acuminatus) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Tapertip rush (Juncus acuminatus) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Widgeongrass (Ruppia maritima) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 0.2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
Natives Willacy County has that most of Texas does not
96 natives here are on file in no more than 13 of Texas's 254 counties. A few of them:
- White mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa): only here
- Button mangrove (Conocarpus erectus): only here
- Shortray rockdaisy (Perityle microglossa): 2 counties
- Rio Grande ayenia (Ayenia limitaris): 3 counties
- Bushy lippia (Lippia alba): 3 counties
- Panicled sandmallow (Sidastrum paniculatum): 3 counties
- Blue boneset (Tamaulipa azurea): 3 counties
- Apaac (Urvillea ulmacea): 3 counties
- Triangle cactus (Acanthocereus tetragonus): 4 counties
- Vasey's wild lime (Adelia vaseyi): 4 counties
Where to start in Willacy County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Willacy County gives you the most rated choice (48 plants), and Bayhops (Ipomoea pes-caprae) is the easiest start on that list. Never watered is the hard one here: 27 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 390 unrated natives too.