Boehler Seeps and Sandhills Preserve is a prime example of a gulf coastal plain sandhill ecosystem. The preserve itself combines two distinct community types: the bluejack oak woodland community and the acid hillside seep community. No other known site in Oklahoma combines these two communities. Two freshwater marshes provide habitat for several state rare plants, the green treefrog and other amphibians. A beaver dam helps to maintain some of the preserve's wetland characteristics.
 

The bluejack oak sandhills occur on upper slopes and hillcrests within outcrops of the antlers sandstone, a cretaceus formation overlaid by fine to medium-grained sand. An open woodland of low oaks such as bluejack oak, blackjack oak and post oak dominates the sandhills. The flora of the forest floor includes a number of southwestern gulf coastal plain plants, such as spikemoss, buckwheat, clammyweed, beardtongue, scurfpea, cotton-rose, Whitlow-wort and Texas Dutchman's breeches.

Acid hillside seeps form where the water table intersects the surface, usually along the sides of small drainages in sandy soils. The flora of the seeps includes species such as southern clubmoss, spikerush, beakrush, nutrush and pipewort. Luxurious bryophite communities extend across the seeps and creek banks. The critically imperiled dwarf pipewort also occurs in this preserve. Approximately 2 to 4 inches tall, the dwarf pipewort has thin, pale green leaves that appear to grow directly out of the ground. It grows in moist to wet, sandy soils of upland seeps and bogs.

From Boswell go one mile west on Hwy 70 to blacktop road. Turn north and go 10 miles, then drive 1/4 mile west to the preserve, which is located on both sides of the road. The preserve is normally closed to the public. For access call Jona Tucker at 580 777 2224.

Nature picture credits: Photo © Jay Pruett/TNC (sunrise)