Pariette Cactus
Sclerocactus brevispinus
Other common names: Pariette Bench hookless cactus
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G1
State (S-rank): S1
Utah Wildlife Action Plan status
- SGCN
External links
General information
Sclerocactus brevispinus is a federally listed as threatened species that is restricted to only a few miles in Duschesne County, Utah. Pariette cactus is known from exposed clay hills, saltbush or sagebrush flats in the Pariette Draw region where the combination of small pink flowers, short spines and spheric, barrel-shaped stems make this rare little barrel cactus easier to identify. In 2009, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) officially recognized Sclerocactus brevispinus as a species from the taxonomic split of Sclerocactus glaucus into three distinct species, S. brevispinus, S. glaucus, and S. wetlandicus. (FWS, 2010)
Description
Sclerocactus brevispinus is a small barrel cactus measuring just 2.9-8.5 (-10.4) cm tall and 1.8-7.5 (-8) cm wide. This cactus usually has 13 ribs around the stem with small round projections called tubercles. The central spine is hooked at th
Phenology
Flowers from April to May
Diagnostic characteristics
This species is distinguished within its narrow region by the combination of its spheric stems, short spines and small pink flowers (FNA, 2020)
Species range
Known only from a single area a few miles across in the Pariette Draw region of Duchesne County, Utah, U.S.A.
Map
Threats or limiting factors
The biggest threat to this species is energy exploration and development which fragments the habitat, compacts soil and increases sedimentation that makes it difficult for plants to go dormant underground, encourages the invasion of non-native species, and increases airborne dust that decreases plant photosynthesis potential as it settles on plants. On BLM and Ute Tribal lands, all of the species habitat is leased for oil and gas development or is part of a current project (USFWS 2010). The species is also threatened by horticultural collection, off-road vehicle use, pesticide application, predation by cactus-borer beetle (Moneilema semipunctatum), rodents, and lagomorphs, grazing, and drought (FNA 2003, USFWS 2010).
Taxonomy
No, this species does not have taxonomic discrepancies