About the Area: The Wichita and Quartz Mountains are granitic remains of a once taller mountain chain. They now appear as low mountains and outcrops that rise abruptly from the surrounding plain. These mountains run from east to west and occur primarily in Comanche, Kiowa, and Greer counties. The Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge and Quartz Mountain State Park provide excellent examples of the habitats found in this area.

Large tracts of crosstimbers occur on mountain slopes, extending into the valleys. Stunted oaks and cedars also grow among the large boulder fields,and some areas are devoid of vegetation. A colorful palette of lichens covers many of the boulders. Reptiles and other animal species live on these dry, rocky slopes. Mixed grass prairie vegetation is abundant, but tallgrass prairie occurs on moist sites. Dry hilltops and overgrazed lowlands contain shortgrass communities typical of drier portions of the ecoregion. Mesquite woodlands are also present.

The rugged terrain of these mountains creates diverse habitats that can support plant communities more characteristic of eastern Oklahoma. For example, sugar maples can be found in some of the canyons in this ecoregion. Lush bottomland forest vegetation grows in the valleys and canyons. These forests are diverse and have many plant species found in eastern Oklahoma. In Oklahoma,the plateau live oak can be found only in the Wichita and Quartz Mountains. It is also common in central Texas.

A few scattered granitic caves support summer populations of bats. Because granite is resistant to weathering, these caves are usually too small to serve as maternity caves or hibernacula (hibernation sites) for bats. Other animals enter the caves for shelter.

Source: Riparian Management Handbook E-952

Go to the Quartz Mountain Nature Park website.

Organizations Represented
University of Oklahoma
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department
Oklahoma City Zoo
Quartz Mountain Nature Park
United States Fish and Wildlife Services
The Nature Conservancy
Oklahoma State University
Western Oklahoma State College, Altus
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
University of Central Oklahoma
Oklahoma City Community College
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Cameron University (Project Wild)
Rose State College
Hillsdale Freewill Baptist College
Three Forks Nature Center
Lake Thunderbird State Park
Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls TX
McLoud High School
Student Conservation Association
Oklahoma Master Naturalists