Mesquite is a common name for some plants in the genus Prosopis , which contains over 40 species of small leguminous trees. They are native to dry areas in the Americas . They have extremely long roots to seek water from very far under ground. As a legume, mesquites are one of the few sources of fixed nitrogen in the desert habitat. The trees bloom from spring to summer. They often produce fruits known as "pods". Prosopis spp. are able to grow up to 8 metres (26 ft) tall, depending on site and climate. They are deciduous and depending on location and rainfall have either deep or shallow roots. Prosopis is considered long-lived because of the low mortality rate after the dicotyledonous stage and juveniles are also able to survive in conditions with low light and drought. The Cahuilla indigenous people of western North America were known to eat the seeds of mesquite.
37-552: (Redirected from South Texas Plains ) South Texas plains may refer to South Texas region of the U.S. state of Texas Tamaulipan mezquital an ecoregion in the southern United States and northeastern Mexico South Plains a region in West Texas South Plains, Texas a community in northern Floyd County, Texas Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with
74-538: A band of cattle rustlers and cut-throats who had been terrorizing the area. The Rangers were members of a select group known as the Special Force. Led by Leander McNelly , the Special Force was given the task to bring law and order to an area of South Texas that lay between Corpus Christi and the Mexican border . San Antonio has the most significant African American population in all of South Texas. An important event in
111-717: A colonel. President Zachary Taylor was General of the Army at Fort Brown ( Brownsville ) during the Mexican–American War. The Texas Rangers gained popularity for their actions in South Texas during the Mexican bandit raids in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. On May 25, 1876, a band of 40 Texas Rangers rode out of Laredo and headed north to the Nueces Strip. Their mission was to find, kill or capture John King Fisher , leader of
148-525: A few times in the winter and snowfall is rare, usually three inches or less. Summers in this zone are hot and humid, with daily averages above 90 °F or 32.2 °C. In addition, areas in Texas that are slightly inland from the Gulf of Mexico, such as San Antonio that border the semi-arid climate zone, generally see a peak of precipitation in the spring, and a deep, drought-like nadir in midsummer. The region itself sees
185-484: A short wet season from March to May and another one from late August to October, and a dry season elsewhere in the year. Night-time temperatures are around 85 °F or 29.4 °C in summer. The region of South Texas includes the semi-arid ranch country and the wetter Rio Grande Valley. Considered to be the southernmost tip of the American Great Plains region, the inland region has rainfall similar to that of
222-481: A small shrub in shallow soil or as tall as 50 feet (15 m) in deep soil with adequate moisture, and forms a rounded canopy nearly as wide. They may have one or multiple trunks with a multitude of branches. They have bipinnate leaflets of a light green to blue hue that cast a light to deep shade, depending on the species. Spikes of flowers form in spring and summer that form a flat pod of beans 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 cm) long. Many varieties form thorns. When cut to
259-468: A subregion of East Texas . The climate of South Texas is varied. The area along the Mexican border is generally semi-arid ( Köppen climate classification BSh ), while the area from the coast inland to just west of San Antonio has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa ). South Texas weather is affected by the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains to the west, the Gulf of Mexico to the east, and
296-441: A year. By overtaking the land, the dense canopy cover of mesquite has made it so native vegetation cannot grow. It has also made watering holes inaccessible to the animals within this region. This lack of resources and range is forcing the endangered Indian wild ass into human landscapes and agriculture fields and locals are killing these asses to protect their crops. Controlling mesquite is a challenging task. One often-used method
333-580: Is a geographic and cultural region of the U.S. state of Texas that lies roughly south of—and includes— San Antonio . The southern and western boundary is the Rio Grande , and to the east it is the Gulf of Mexico . The population of this region is more than 5 million according to the 2024 census estimates. The southern portion of this region is often referred to as the Rio Grande Valley . The eastern portion along
370-463: Is a hot and semiarid region, Prosopis spp. have been able to become naturalized. The last known specimens of P. laevigata were eradicated in 2006, but given the possibility of lingering seeds in the soil seed bank , Biosecurity Queensland waited 15 years and declared Australia free of P. laevigata in 2021. In India , mesquite had been introduced decades ago, but until recently, its effects had not been studied. This genus has been pushing out
407-513: Is also affected by the introduction of Prosopis spp., in particular, the P. pallida , P. glandulosa , P. velutina, and their hybrids with P. juliflora . Prosopis spp. are ranked nationally as one of the 20 most significant weeds. They now cover almost 1 million hectares (2.5 million acres) of land. Prosopis spp. were originally introduced to help with erosion because of their deep root systems. Honey mesquite has been introduced to parts of Africa , Asia , and Australia and
SECTION 10
#1732851636357444-543: Is between June and November. However, the Texas coast gets affected usually between August and September, when systems sporadically organize in the southern Gulf around the Bay of Campeche or western Caribbean and the latter months forming off the coast of Africa. Droughts - Although South Texas summers generally see rainfall in summer months, some years the lack of rain is persistent and leads to water shortages; lake levels drop significantly and lead to municipal water restrictions. In
481-560: Is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico . South Texas consists of 41 counties. Its terrain is flat, lying on the coastal plain. South Texas is so vast, that there are even subregions. The very southern tip of South Texas, called the Rio Grande Valley , has fertile soils and is known for its citrus production. The eastern portion of South Texas is often referred to as the Coastal Bend ; here, coastal salt marshes, estuaries, and wetlands are scattered all around. The western and central parts are known as
518-654: Is considered by the World Conservation Union as one of the world's most problematic invasive species . Its spread into grasslands is mostly attributed to the introduction of domestic livestock, although other factors include climate change, overgrazing , and the reduction of fire frequency. Although Prosopis spp. are naturally occurring in these areas, these changes have resulted in their being able to successfully outcompete other native plants and they are now considered invasive species because they are able to take advantage of vulnerable ecosystems. Since Australia
555-645: Is credited to the Saibara family. Laredo Eagle Pass Brownsville Los Indios Falcon Heights Hidalgo McAllen Pharr Progreso Rio Grande City Roma San Antonio Corpus Christi Laredo Rio Grande Valley Other The only major professional sports team in South Texas is the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA . Mesquite Prosopis spp. have been in North America since
592-600: Is its native range, due to an imbalance within this ecosystem has been able to spread rapidly. It is considered the most common and widely spread "pest" plant in Texas . An estimated 25% of Texas’ grasslands are infested and 16 million acres (6.5 million hectares) are so invaded that it is suppressing the majority of grass production. In Mexico and the US, the two most problematic species are honey mesquite ( Prosopis glandulosa ) and velvet mesquite ( Prosopis velutina ). Australia
629-403: Is mechanical control. This can be effective with high mortality rates if stems are cut at least 20 centimetres (8 in) underground. Another method is through the application of herbicides, done on an individual plant basis. Basal application is effective to mesquite of all sizes, while foliar application is best for plants smaller than 1.5 metres (5 ft). Another physical option for control
666-478: Is no defined northern boundary, although it is believed to be at the city of San Antonio and from an east to west line extending from the Rio Grande near Maverick County to the Gulf of Mexico , but turning southeast at or near Lavaca County , and continuing towards the Gulf of Mexico to separate it from East Texas and Southeast Texas . The Rio Grande serves as the western and southern boundaries and separates Texas from Mexico . The eastern portion of South Texas
703-412: Is through fires. Some species of mesquite are fire-sensitive, while others are fire-tolerant. For those that are fire-sensitive, this method can be highly effective, but those that are fire-tolerant require hot and intense fires to be effective. In Australia, scientists are trying biological control methods. They have introduced multiple insects, but the most effective in causing high population level impact
740-496: Is well known for strong Hispanic , primarily Mexican American and Tejano (the Spanish term for " Texan ") influences, due to its proximity to Mexico . Tejanos and Mexicans living in South Texas are descended from the Spanish and Sephardic Jewish settlers of Mexico, from Mexican indigenous groups allied with the Spanish, such as Tlaxcaltec and Otomi peoples, and from local indigenous groups of South Texas who were missionized by
777-711: The Chihuahuan Desert to the west/northwest. Moisture from the Pacific is cut off by the Mexican Sierra Madre Occidental and Oriental mountain ranges. Along the coast the climate is best exemplified in the summers when humidity is extremely high though at times arid, depending upon whether tropical moisture from the Gulf and sometimes from the Pacific is flowing in or if the region is cut off from any moisture by high pressure systems, causing long droughts, which occur every few years. Temperatures reach freezing only
SECTION 20
#1732851636357814-422: The Gulf of Mexico is also referred to as the Coastal Bend . Greater Houston and Beaumont–Port Arthur are occasionally tied to the region, both for physically being on the southern end of the state and for businesses that use "South Texas" in its name. (i.e. South Texas School of Law , South Texas State Fair , etc). However, the two are more commonly associated with East Texas or Southeast Texas . There
851-547: The Indian wild ass ( Equus hemionus khur). This herbivorous mammal eats the pods of Prosopis spp, which was one of the intended purposes of its introduction. Through digesting and excreting the seeds, the Indian wild asses are providing the habitat needed for germination. The 5,000 square kilometres (1,931 sq mi) Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary is experiencing mesquite invasion of roughly 1.95 square kilometres (0.75 sq mi)
888-635: The Pliocene era and their wood has been dated to 3300 yr BP. They are thought to have evolved with megafauna in the New World. The loss of North American megafauna at the end of the Pleistocene era gave way to one theory of how the Prosopis spp. were able to survive. One theory is that the loss of the megafauna allowed Prosopis spp. to use their fruit pods to attract other organisms to spread their seeds; then, with
925-778: The Republic of the Rio Grande was established in this region in 1840, lasting less than a year. Laredo served as its capital. The Rio Grande Valley area played a significant role in the Mexican War of Independence , the Texas Revolution , the Mexican–American War , and the American Civil War , with many historical battle sites around the area. General Robert E. Lee resided at Fort Ringold ( Rio Grande City ) during this time as
962-484: The 254 counties in Texas. Tornadoes do occur in this part of the state, but not as frequently as other parts. They approach, usually from the northwest to southeast, as a line of severe thunderstorms , mostly in the summer months and by cold fronts in fall. Snow rarely falls south of San Antonio or on the coast except in rare circumstances. Of note is the 2004 Christmas Eve snowstorm , when 6 inches (150 mm) of snow fell as far south as McAllen . South Texas
999-500: The Northern Plains. The coastal areas are warm most of the year due to currents of the Gulf of Mexico, but can get cold in winter if a strong front comes in, occasionally causing snow at sea level. Rain in the coastal region is more abundant than in the inland region, and subtropical forests line the Rio Grande . Inland, where it is drier, ranches dominate the landscape, characterized by thick, spiny brush and grasslands. The winters in
1036-788: The South Texas Plains or the Brush Country . Mesquite trees and crop fields dominate the Brush Country. Some people consider Houston to be in South Texas for several reasons: numerous businesses in the Houston region contain 'South Texas' in their titles. The United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas includes the Houston division. However, Houston is most accurately classified as being within Southeast Texas ,
1073-574: The Spanish, particularly Coahuiltecans . These migrations occurred and have been ongoing since the early 1700s in South Texas. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in the 1840s failed to secure land belonging to the Mexican settlers. The disputed area was between the Nueces River south of San Antonio and Corpus Christi, the King Ranch , and the Rio Grande. Recognized by neither Mexico nor the United States,
1110-515: The branches of mesquite trees during the summer. This sap was used by those who lived in the desert for several medicinal treatments. The sap was used as a salve and spread on burns and cuts to speed up the healing process. Gargling a mixture of water and sap was used to soothe sore throats, and the same mixture was said to be able to cure upset stomachs. Prosopis spp. are different from most invasive species because they are highly aggressive in both their native and introduced ranges. Their impacts on
1147-689: The development of South Texas and the Texas Gulf Coast rice industry was the introduction of seed imported from Japan in 1904. The Houston Chamber of Commerce and the Southern Pacific Railroad invited Japanese farmers to Texas to help area farms in the production of rice. The seed the Japanese farmers brought with them was a gift from the Japanese emperor. The production of Japanese rice began at Webster in Harris County. The Gulf Coast rice industry
South Texas plains - Misplaced Pages Continue
1184-556: The ground, the tree can often recover. Once the pod is dry, the whole pod is edible and can be ground into flour and made into bread . Mesquite is native to the US and can be used as a type of lumber. It was a popular type of wood used by early Spaniards to build ships, but is now used most commonly for high-end rustic furniture and cabinets. Scraps and small pieces are used commonly as wood for cooking with smoke in Western, South Central American states. Red-orange sap can be found on
1221-426: The inland region are cooler and drier, as Arctic air can make it into the region, but snow is rare due to the lack of humidity. Summers are for the most part hot and dry, but at times can be humid if winds come off the warmer Gulf of Mexico. Tornadoes can occur in this region, but less frequently than in other parts of the state. Hurricanes are the most dangerous weather systems to affect South Texas. Hurricane season
1258-459: The introduction of livestock, they were able to spread into grasslands. Another is that Prosopis spp. had always been present in grasslands, but recurring fires had delayed plant and seed development before the emergence of livestock and grazing. The English word mesquite is borrowed from the Spanish word mezquite , which in turn was borrowed from the Nāhuatl term mizquitl . Mesquites grow as
1295-451: The invaded ecosystems include changes to hydrological, energy, and nutrient cycling , as well as consequences to biodiversity and primary production. Prosopis spp. density and canopy cover influence the herbaceous layer and native shrubs and are factors in the changes to the ecosystem. In the United States, Prosopis has become the dominant woody plant on 38,000,000 hectares (94,000,000 acres) of semiarid grasslands. Although North America
1332-417: The summer of 2011, numerous records were set. On August 28, 2011, most of South Texas had temperatures reaching 110 °F, breaking many cities' record highs. Furthermore, 95% of the state faced an extreme or exceptional drought, according to the office of the Texas state climatologist. These drought conditions led to a string of dangerous wildfires across the state, and the enforcement of burn bans in 250 of
1369-478: The title South Texas plains . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=South_Texas_plains&oldid=478930515 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages South Texas South Texas
#356643