The Oklahoma Native Plant Society
The purpose of the Oklahoma Native Plant Society is to encourage the study, protection, propagation, appreciation and use of Oklahoma’s native plants.
GREAT NEWS!! The newest Oklahoma Native Plant Record, Volume 23 is available to order. Complete the online form: Order form or use the printed form in the current Gaillardia.
Watch archived videos, meetings and presentations, including Doug Tallamy's talk, by clicking here.
Say hello to the ONPS Officers for 2025-2027.
President - Shalini Chitturi
Vice President - Juliette Hulen
Secretary - Carol Smith
Treasurer - Mary Korthase
Past-President - Patrick Bell
Directors at Large
Joe Roberts and Andrea Schultz-Farriester (2026),
Donna Horton and Jamie Rucker (2027),
Debbie Drinko and Connie Scothorn (2028)
Mark your calendars for May 1-3 for our Wonders of Wildflowers (WOW) at Chandler Park in Tulsa. Watch here for upcoming details.
Upcoming Events & Activities
Note: Starting January 2026 the Northeast Chapter will be meeting monthly
February 2 - NE Chapter meeting, 6:30pm socializing and 7:00pm program by Andy Fusco, Executive Director of the Tulsa Garden Center. He will do a presentation on the Garden Center and briefly talk about his work with native plants. Meeting at the Tulsa Garden Center, 2435 S Peoria Ave. We will be in the mansion Ballroom with an operational elevator.
February 5 - Central Chapter meeting, 6:30 socializing and 7:00pm Oklahoma is home to several wildflower species in the genus Heterotheca, known as "goldenasters," but certain species in this genus are difficult to identify. This is partially due to subtle morphological differences between species and hybridization. In this talk, Marisa Szubryt, a PhD candidate at OU, will discuss her current research on the genus Heterotheca and the importance of field work and evolutionary research. Location at OCU Dawson-Loeffler Building, Room 208, OKC.
February 20 - Fabulous Wildflower Fridays 5:30pm casual, at Panera Bread, 5601 E 41st St, Tulsa
March 2 - NE Chapter meeting, 6:30pm socializing and 7:00pm program (TBA). Meeting at the Tulsa Garden Center, 2435 S Peoria Ave. We will be in the mansion Ballroom with an operational elevator.
March 5 - Central Chapter meeting, 6:30 socializing and 7:00pm Sarah Short will present her graduate research on Oklahoma's old-growth forests in the Cross Timbers eco-region. Sarah’s research uses tree rings to examine historic growth patterns, past disturbances, and changes in forest composition.. Location at OCU Dawson-Loeffler Building, Room 208, OKC.
March 20 - Fabulous Wildflower Fridays 5:30pm casual, at Panera Bread, 5601 E 41st St, Tulsa
April 2 - Central Chapter meeting, 6:30 socializing and 7:00pm, Jennifer A. Bryant, Director of Horticulture for the Chickasaw Nation, will present on native plant propagation and pollinator conservation projects at the Chickasaw Cultural Center, emphasizing the impact of community partnerships. Location at OCU Dawson-Loeffler Building, Room 208, OKC.
April 6 - NE Chapter meeting, 6:30pm socializing and 7:00pm program (TBA). Meeting at the Tulsa Garden Center, 2435 S Peoria Ave. We will be in the mansion Ballroom with an operational elevator.
April 17 - Fabulous Wildflower Fridays 5:30pm casual, at Panera Bread, 5601 E 41st St, Tulsa
May 1-3 - Wonders of Wildflowers (WOW) at Chandler Park in Tulsa. Watch here for upcoming details.
May 7 - Central Chapter meeting, 6:30 socializing and 7:00pm. What if plants could hijack their neighbors at the molecular level? Megan Adler, graduate researcher at Oklahoma State University, explores this through her work on Cuscuta spp., a parasitic plant genus that steals resources from other plants. Her research investigates how these freeloaders of the plant world communicate with their hosts and why understanding these interactions is critical for developing effective control strategies. Location at OCU Dawson-Loeffler Building, Room 208, OKC.
May 16 - Edgemere Park Plant Walk. Meeting at 9:00am at the gazebo next to the playground, NW 33rd and N Harvey Parkway.
June 6 - Deep Fork River Plant Walk. Meeting at 9:00am in front of Shoe Carnival, 1701 Belle Isle Blvd, OKC. At 9:15am we will caravan to the Deep Fork River.
July 11 - Oklahoma River Plant Walk. Meeting at 9:00am at Culture Coffee, 1029 NE 6th St, OKC. At 9:15am we will caravan to the Oklahoma River.
August 6 - Central Chapter meeting, 6:30 socializing and 7:00pm. OU PhD student, Jasmine Cates, will provide an overview of how roadsides function as habitat and dispersal corridors for native pollinators. She will speak about her research, in collaboration with ODOT, which focuses on the influence of roadside management on native bee biodiversity and genetic connectivity. Location at OCU Dawson-Loeffler Building, Room 208, OKC.
September 3 - Central Chapter meeting, 6:30 socializing and 7:00pm. Artist Sarah Hearn will present her work and discuss some inspirational and essential partners of the plant world. This will include a visual tour of the microbial worlds that inhabit our bodies, our food, and ecosystems. Location at OCU Dawson-Loeffler Building, Room 208, OKC.
October - Annual Statewide ONPS Members Meeting TBA.
November 5 - Central Chapter meeting, 6:30 socializing and 7:00pm. The Ouachita’s are one of Oklahoma's most biodiverse areas—a center of endemism for plants, animals, and the unique east-west trending mountains. From orchids and salamanders to unique trees and vast amounts of accessible public land, this ancient mountain range deserves special attention. Gus Barksdale will discuss the plant ecology of the Ouachita’s and the surrounding areas in southeast Oklahoma. Location at OCU Dawson-Loeffler Building, Room 208, OKC.
Watch here for exciting activities throughout 2026.
We'd love to hear your ideas on improving and continuing our purpose to encourage the study, protection, propagation, appreciation and use of Oklahoma’s native plants.
***Remember to wear hiking clothes and bring water to our outdoor activities.
Photos submitted by members of The Oklahoma Native Plant Society.
Find us at these Events too!
February 14 - Seed Swap at the Tulsa Garden Center, 11am-2pm
March 6 - ONPN The Welcoming Speaker Series: Creating Natural Spaces and Coexisting with Wildlife with Heather Holm & Nancy Lawson, in Edmond, 4:30pm - 8:30pm at the UCO Liberal Arts Building, Liberal Arts Lecture Hall. Register for FREE Winter Speaker Series at ONPN.org.
March 7 - ONPN The Welcoming Speaker Series: Creating Natural Spaces and Coexisting with Wildlife with Heather Holm & Nancy Lawson, in Tulsa, 1:00pm - 5:00pm at the Tulsa Garden Center at Woodward Park, 2435 S. Peoria Ave. Register for FREE Winter Speaker Series at ONPN.org.
April 10 & 11 - Spring Fest at Woodward Park - Tulsa's longest running Garden Market returns for its 71st year of providing the top plant vendors, garden supplies, and art inspired by outdoor spaces. Tulsa Garden Center, Teaching Garden at Woodward Park Event Lawn. 9am-3pm - FREE
April 18 - Sand Springs Herbal Affair & Festival , Sand Springs. 8am-4pm - FREE
April 25 - Jenks Herb Festival, downtown Jenks. 8am-4pm - FREE
Central Chapter Meetings (Oklahoma City area)
Typically the 1st Thursday of every month at Oklahoma City University (OCU) campus. Doors open at 6:30pm for socializing and seed swap (if you’ve got ‘em); presentations begin at 7:00pm.
NE Chapter Meetings (Tulsa and NE Oklahoma area)
Typically the 1st Monday of every month, except 2nd Monday in September at the Tulsa Garden Center, in the Ballroom, 2435 S Peoria Ave, Tulsa. Doors open at 6:30pm for socializing and seed swap (if you’ve got ‘em); presentations begin at 7:00pm.
Fabulous Wildflower Fridays
Join the Northeast Chapter for Fabulous Wildflower Fridays, every third Friday of each month at 5:30pm at Panera Bread at 41st Street and Hudson Avenue.
Mycology Chapter (NE to Central Oklahoma area)
Watch for impromptu field trips when the weather is just right.
ONPS Board meetings (locations vary)
All are welcome to attend. Meetings are held early February, then during WOW in late Spring, and the Annual Meeting in the Fall.
