Uinta Basin Hookless Cactus
Sclerocactus wetlandicus
Other common names: Purpus' hookless cactus
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G2?
State (S-rank): S2
Utah Wildlife Action Plan status
- SGCN
External links
General information
Sclerocactus wetlandicus is a federally listed as threatened species known from Duchesne and Uintah County, Utah. This rare cactus grows in gravel-covered clay hills, desert grasslands, and in saltbush and rabbitbrush flats. Contrary to the species "wetlandicus" epithet, this small barrel cactus is known from dry environments. Uinta Basin Hookless Cactus is an egg shaped barrel cactus with fragrant pink or purple flowers and spines which can obscure the stem. In 2009, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) officially recognized Sclerocactus wetlandicus 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 wetlandicus is a federally listed as threatened species known from Duchesne and Uintah County, Utah. This rare cactus grows in gravel-covered clay hills, desert grasslands, and in saltbush and rabbitbrush flats. Contrary to the species "wetlandicus" epithet, this small barrel cactus is known from dry environments. Uinta Basin Hookless Cactus is an egg shaped barrel cactus with fragrant pink or purple flowers and spines which can obscure the stem. In 2009, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) officially recognized Sclerocactus wetlandicus as a species from the taxonomic split of Sclerocactus glaucus into three distinct species, S. brevispinus, S. glaucus, and S. wetlandicus. (FWS, 2010)
Phenology
Flowers from April to late may
Species range
Known only from Duchesne and Uintah counties, Utah (Flora of North America Editorial Committee (2003).
Threats or limiting factors
Potential threats include disturbance from grazing, energy exploration and development, building stone collecting, and recreation (Heil and Porter 1993 cited by Franklin 2005). Development of tar sands and oil shale are again of interest in the Uinta Basin which may impact this species (Franklin 2005).
Taxonomy
No, this species does not have taxonomic discrepancies