Plants & People
Plantas y Gente
Native or indigenous plants are those that occur naturally in a particular region, or ecosystem. They have existed for centuries supporting life, increasing biodiversity, and
playing an important role in soil and water conservation.
Texas is one of the most biologically diverse states, with over 5,000 native plants and 10 ecoregions that range from the arid High Plains to the lush Gulf Coast. However, at least 41 of its plant species have been listed as threatened or endangered. Habitat destruction, fragmentation and the loss of genetic diversity due to land clearing are among the many threats to our native plant species.
The graphic includes the following Texas wildflowers that are recognized as endangered plant species.
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Texas poppymallow, Callirhoe scabriuscula
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Comanche Peak prairie clover, Dalea reverchonii
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Puzzle sunflower, Helianthus paradoxus
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Big red sage, Salvia penstemonoides
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Bracted twistflower, Streptanthus bracteatus
The Zapata bladderpod is a rare species of flowering plant in the mustard family that is found in Zapata and Starr Counties has been listed as endangered since 1999. The prostrate milkweed - a native plant crucial for
the survival of monarch butterflies - was added to the endangered species list in 2023.
The well-being of native plants is one way to measure the overall health of the environment. The extinction of native species serves as a warning of disruption to our natural ecosystems.
PlantArte native plant art contest & exhibit
PlantArte is a celebration of native plants through botanical art, originally offered in 2024 by Arte Sana's Plants & People, Plantas y Gente project in collaboration with local, state, and national native plant and environmental groups.
Through the PlantArte handmade native plant art contest and online exhibit, participating artists are helping prevent Plant Awareness Disparity (or plant blindness) and raising awareness of the role of native plants in preserving the biodiversity of our many ecoregions.
We were thrilled that the first Texas-born PlantArte native plant art contest also welcomed art from Arizona, Florida, and Oklahoma.
When it was promoted nationally in 2025, 60% of the art submissions came from Texas and we also welcomed native plant art from additional states like Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, and New York, thanks to the promo support from our wonderful PlantArte Partners.
The PlantArte Goals
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To channel the power of art to build awareness of the importance of native plants.
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To promote native plant advocacy by empowering diverse communities to support conservation and restoration efforts.
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To honor the ancestral roots and shared ecoregions that connect plants and people.
The PlantArte Themes
The PlantArte art contest deadline & forms:
All art submissions are due by Midnight CST on March 30, 2026.
This is a self-funded native plant art project.
Please be sure to read the rules and guidelines or reglas y pautas del concurso
(links in the forms above) and the section below for more information!
The PlantArte contest welcomes diverse art mediums, as long as the plant art is handmade or handcrafted. The 2025 PlantArte exhibit includes artwork created with quite a few art mediums by professional artists, self-taught artists, and many native plant advocates ages 16 to 77. Congratulations to the 2025 PlantArte native plant art contest winners, and thanks to all of the artists who shared their work for the exhibit to help promote native plant awareness and advocacy.
Visit the 2025 PlantArte exhibit launched on Earth Day (4/22).
Learn more about steps we all can take to protect our environment, with the interactive online PlantArte Native Plant Pledge, or el Compromiso de plantas nativas.
A focus on regional native wildflowers and their ecological importance for pollinators, soil health, and biodiversity. Un enfoque en las flores silvestres nativas de la región y su importancia ecológica para polinizadores, la salud del suelo y la biodiversidad.
A focus on freeze and drought-resistant plants. Un enfoque en plantas resistentes a las heladas y a la sequía.
A focus on threatened or endangered plants. Un enfoque en las plantas amenazadas o en peligro de extinción.
A focus on regional native wildflowers and their ecological importance for pollinators, soil health, and biodiversity. Un enfoque en las flores silvestres nativas de la región y su importancia ecológica para polinizadores, la salud del suelo y la biodiversidad.
Click on any image in the slide gallery to learn more about the six PlantArte native plant art themes.
Haz clic en cualquier imagen de la galería de diapositivas para obtener más información sobre los seis temas del concurso PlantArte.
Visit our Instagram account for PlantArte artist showcase posts and
updates regarding the 2026 PlantArte native plant art exhibit!
#plantarteexhibit
