Stephen F. Austin State University

When Dr. Elray Nixon retired from Stephen F. Austin State University 14 years ago, he presented decades of his work to the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT).

His research provided the foundation botanists needed to write the "Illustrated Flora of East Texas," a comprehensive, fully illustrated guide to plants that grow in 87 East Texas counties.

Several of the book's authors recently converged at SFA to unveil the book and dedicate it to Nixon.

Nixon, who now lives in Utah, returned to campus for the occasion.

"This is great," Nixon said, outside of the lecture hall in the Miller Science Building where many of his former students had gathered for the occasion. "It's great to see my students, and it's great to be back at SFA."

Although Nixon retired in 1993 after 27 years at the university, he continues to research and write today.

"East Texas provided me with a great opportunity to conduct research," he said. "It kept me busy, and I enjoyed working here with the faculty."

Rachael Jones, an SFA student and member of the Botany Interest Group, attended the book dedication and said, "It's exciting to meet people who contribute to our education."

Barney Lipscomb, chairman of BRIT, said it was important for him and the other botanists to honor Nixon as a colleague and friend.

"He's known all over the country," Lipscomb said.George Diggs, professor of biology at Austin College, described Nixon's work as "an inspiration." "His work is exemplary," he said.

Nixon has collected and educated others about plants they couldn't have seen anywhere outside of East Texas, according to Bob O'Kennon, senior captain with American Airlines, self-trained botanist and nature photographer.

"The Illustrated Flora of East Texas" was written with the cooperation of botanists, agronomists and foresters throughout East Texas "to make the flora as useful as possible to farmers, landscapers, gardeners, nurserymen, hobbyists, builders and others," according to an online
brochure.

Information is included about poisonous and useful plants, weedy species, presettlement conditions, habitats, geology, soils and climate, which makes the book a useful reference in school subjects ranging from history to botany, the brochure says.

Nixon's former student Robert George, a BRIT member who attended the book dedication, said, "It's good to see Elray back in the spotlight."

Nixon started the herbarium at SFA, building a program now recognized as one of the best in the state, George said.

The book is written and designed for both the professional botanist and amateur, George said, adding that drawings are provided for every species.

"There's also an appendix on how to prepare plants and mount them that is easy enough for amateurs to follow," George said.

Dr. Dennis Gravatt, biology department chair, said SFA was proud to host the book dedication for Nixon.

"We're working to develop closer ties to BRIT," he said. "Anything we can do to support botany is great."