CPC National Collection Plant Profile

Sclerocactus wrightiae

Photographer:
Vincent Tepedino

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CPC National Collection Plant Profile

Sclerocactus wrightiae


Family: 
Cactaceae  
Common Name: 
Wright fishhook cactus
Author: 
L. Benson
Growth Habit: 
Shrub
CPC Number: 
3891

Distribution
Protection
Conservation
References


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Sclerocactus wrightiaeenlarge
Photographer: Vincent Tepedino
vince.tepedino[at]usu.edu

Sclerocactus wrightiaeenlarge
Photographer: Vincent Tepedino
vince.tepedino[at]usu.edu


Sclerocactus wrightiae is Fully Sponsored
Primary custodian for this plant in the CPC National Collection of Endangered Plants is: 
Sylvia Torti contributed to this Plant Profile.

 
Sclerocactus wrightiae


Wright's fishhook cactus was listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1979. (USFWS 1979) A small cactus with short spines. The lovely yellowish to pink flowers can be seen in late April to early June. This cactus grows in south-central Utah in salt desert shrub/grass and pinyon juniper communities between 1460 and 1865 meters.

Distribution & Occurrence

State Range
  Utah
State Range of  Sclerocactus wrightiae
Habitat
  Plants are restricted to fine textured soils derived from Ferron Sandstone, Mancos Shale, Morrison, Summerville, Curtis, Entrada and Carmel Formations. Salt desert shrub/grass and pinyon juniper communities.

Distribution
  This species is known only from Wayne County, southwestern Emery County and southeastern Sevier County in Utah. (State of Utah Natural Resources 2002)

Number Left
  Clark and Groebner report on 1,365 individuals. (2000)

Protection

Global Rank:  
G2
 
6/26/1998
Guide to Global Ranks
Federal Status:  
LE
 
10/11/1978
Guide to Federal Status
Recovery Plan:  
Yes
 
12/24/1985

State/Area Protection
  State/Area Rank Status Date  
  Utah S2 6/1/1998  

Conservation, Ecology & Research

Ecological Relationships
  Unknown.

Threats
  • Infestation by cactus-borer beetle larvae
• Oil, coal and gas exploration
• Livestock trampling
• Off-road vehicle use
• Road construction and maintenance

Current Research Summary
  None known.

Current Management Summary
  Most of the populations occur on BLM land.

Research Management Needs
  Continued monitoring of populations, studies of their ecology, ex situ propagation protocols and re-introduction feasibility studies.

Ex Situ Needs
  Seeds have been germinated in the greenhouse, but plants did not survive. Protocol must be developed.

References

Books (Sections)

Tepedino, V.J. 2002. Section III. Environmental Monitoring. III.5 The Reproductive Biology of Rare Rangeland Plants and Their Vulnerability to Insecticides. Grasshoppers: Their biology, identification and management, User Handbook.

Conference Proceedings

Clark, D.J.; Groebner, C.M. Determining Habitat Potential and Surveying for Nine Rare Plant Species in South-Central Utah. Southwestern rare and endangered plants: proceedings of the third conference; September 25-28; Flagstaff, AZ. In: Maschinski, Joyce; Holter, Louella, editors. 2000. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. Fort Collins, CO (Proceedings RMRS-P-23). p 38-43.

Heil, K.D.; Porter, M.; Flemming, R.; Rome, W. Rare Plant Diversity Between Capital Reef National Park and Canyonlands, Arches National Parks and Bridges National Monument of Southeastern Utah. Proceedings of the Southwestern Rare and Endangered Plant Conference; 30 March - 2 April; Santa Fe, NM. In: Sivinski, R.; Lightfoot, K., editors. 1992. New Mexico Forestry and Resources Conservation Division. p 78-102.

Kass, R.J. Demographic Monitoring of Wright Fishhook Cactus. Southwestern rare and endangered plants: proceedings of the third conference; September 25-28; Flagstaff, AZ. In: Maschinski, Joyce; Holter, Louella, editors. 2000. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. Fort Collins, CO (Proceedings RMRS-P-23). p 51-58.

Electronic Sources

(2002). Rare Plant Profiles. [Searchable Web site] State of Utah Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife Resources. http://www.utahcdc.usu.edu/rsgis2/Search/SearchSelection.asp?Group=PLANT&Species=PLANT. Accessed: 2002.

ESIS. (1998). Endangered Species System (ESIS): Fish and Wildlife Exchange. [Web site;] Virginia Tech. http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/WWW/esis/. Accessed: 2002.

Journal Articles

1988. Status Summary. Idaho Native Plant Society Newsletter: Sage Notes.

1988. Threatened and Endangered Plants Summary. Sego Lily: Newsletter of the Utah Native Plant Society. 15: 2.

Kass, Ronald J. 2001. Mortality of the endangered Wright fishhook cactus (Sclerocactus wrightiae) by an Opuntia-borer beetle (Cerambycidae: Moneilema semipunctatum). Western North American Naturalist. 61: 495-497.

Tepedino, V.J. 1997. Wild Bees and Floral Jewels. Wings. 20, 1: 8-10.

Tepedino, V.J. 2000. Wild Bees and Floral Jewels. Castilleja: The Newsletter of the Wyoming Native Plant Society. 19, 4: 6-8.

USFWS. 1976. Proposed Endangered Status for 1700 U.S. Plants. Federal Register. 41: 24523-24572.

USFWS. 1979. Determination that the Purple-Spined Hedgehog Cactus and Wright Fishhook Cactus are Endangered Species. Federal Register. 44, 198: 58866-58868.

USFWS. 1979. Service Lists 32 Plants. Endangered Species Technical Bulletin. 4, 11: 1, 5-8.

USFWS. 1988. Regional News. Endangered Species Technical Bulletin. 13, 3: 2.

Reports

Brack, S. 1986. Germination Tips. Belen, NM: Mesa Garden. p.5.

Investigations, Neese. 1987. Habitat inventory of Sclerocactus wrightiae and other associated sensitive speices. Prepared by Neese Investigations for the Bureau of Land Management.

Jones, A. 2001. Review and Analysis of Cattle Grazing Effects in the Arid West, with Implications for BLM Grazing Managment in Southern Utah: A literature review submitted in southern Utah. The Wild Utah Project.

Meyer, T. 1997. Wright fishhook cactus, Sclerocactus wrightiae Benson. Salt Lake City, UT: Red Butte Garden and Arboretum, University of Utah. p.2. Report to CPC?.

USFWS. 1985. Wright fishhook cactus recovery plan. Denver, Colorado: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, prepared in cooperation with the Wright Fishhook Recovery Committee. p.27.


  This profile was updated on 9/28/2010
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