Vascular Flora of E. C. Hafer Park, Edmond, Oklahoma

Abstract

E. C. Hafer Park is located on the western edge of the Cross Timbers ecoregion, in central Oklahoma within the City of Edmond. The park contains post oak-blackjack oak forest, tallgrass prairie, riparian forest, and areas developed for recreational activities. A vascular plant inventory conducted during 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017 yielded 270 species in 190 genera and 65 families. The largest families were the Asteraceae (46 species), Poaceae (42), and Fabaceae (27). There were 96 annuals, four biennials, and 170 perennials. Sixty species (22.2%) were not native to the United States. No rare species currently being tracked by the Oklahoma Natural Heritage Inventory were present. Compared to floristic inventories for other sites of similar size in Oklahoma, Hafer Park has a relatively high number of species. However, it also has a relatively high percentage of exotic species from other continents, some of which are invasive and are threatening the native forest, grassland, and riparian plant communities.