Oklahoma Native Plant Record, Volume 3, Number 1, December 2003


Oklahoma Native Plant Record 3
Volume 3, Number 1, December 2003

Foreword

Over the years our state’s ecology has been affected by many changes.  New dams, turnpikes,
urban sprawl, forestry practices, highway right of away mowing, and excessive use of herbicides are
just a few of the activities that have had a profound impact upon our state’s native vegetation, many
within my lifetime.  Concerned Oklahomans founded the Oklahoma Native Plant Society (ONPS) in
1987 with the goal of encouraging the study, protection, use, and appreciation of our native plants. 

Many of our citizens are unaware of the unique geographic and biological characteristics of
Oklahoma.  Botanists and ecologists have debated where Oklahoma should be placed on the
biodiversity scale.  States such as California, Texas, North Carolina, and Florida have more species.
California and Texas have more bioregions.  When you consider our geographic location, numbers of
species, and bioregions, Oklahoma is considered by many to be number three in terms of biodiversity.
Many Western and Eastern, as well as Northern and Southern species intermingle here.  Our
extensive river system, moving primarily from the Northwest to the Southeast, further divides the
state into unique regions.

The sand dunes and the Great Salt Plains are classic examples.  Early explorers and botanists
made extensive use of these waterways, Washington Irving and Thomas Nuttall are two of the most
prominent.  The state’s elevation and annual rainfall amounts change as you move from west to east,
resulting in different bioregions across our state.

As a youngster growing up in Oklahoma City, I would often spend time with a map of
Oklahoma and wonder about the regions in our state.  Black Mesa, the high plains prairies, the forests
of eastern Oklahoma, and the Ozark, Quachita, Wichita, Quartz, and Arbuckle Mountain regions were
some of the areas I would dream of someday visiting.  Eventually, through family vacations, ecology
field trips in college, and my association with ONPS, I was able to visit many of these places.  Our
state is truly diverse.  Much of my appreciation of this is due to my associations with ONPS and as a
student in Harriet Barclay’s ecology class.

The new Field Guide to Oklahoma Plants, by Ron Tyrl, Terrence Bidwell, and Ronald
Masters has an excellent introductory section covering the ecogeography and vegetation of
Oklahoma.  This guide has fine maps and explanations on the geography, soils, and vegetation types.
Rolling hills, plains, and unique mountain regions characterize the state.   Six forest types are
recognized: Oak-Hickory, Oak-Pine, Post Oak-Blackjack Oak, Loblolly Pine, Cypress Bottoms, and
Bottom land (Flood Plain).   Dr. David Stahle, from the Tree-Ring Laboratory at University of
Arkansas, states that the Cross-timbers region (Post Oak-BlackJack Oak ) in Oklahoma is one of the
largest remaining old growth forests in North America.  Our state also consists of Tallgrass,
Shortgrass, and Mixed grass prairie regions.   The field guide recognizes five different Shrub-
Grassland types; Sandsage Grassland, Mesquite Grassland, Shinnery Oak–Grassland, Stabilized
Dunes, and Pinon-Juniper Mesa.

The Oklahoma Native Plant Record has covered some of these areas in past issues.  It is
becoming an excellent forum for discussing our state’s unique diversity.   Much of the Journal’s
success goes to those original ONPS founding members, whose foresight and concerns about our state
have been an inspiration to us all.  This Journal is a monument to their efforts.  I encourage everyone
to support and contribute to its success.

James Elder
ONPS President
June 2003