Sclerocactus wrightiae
| Sclerocactus wrightiae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Core eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Tribe: | Cacteae |
| Genus: | Sclerocactus |
| Species: | S. wrightiae |
| Binomial name | |
| Sclerocactus wrightiae L.D.Benson | |
Sclerocactus wrightiae is a rare species of cactus known by the common name Wright's fishhook cactus.
George Engelmann named a small cactus after Charles Wright.[1]
Distribution
It is endemic to Utah in the United States, where it is known from Emery, Sevier, Wayne, and Garfield Counties.[2] It occurs at Capitol Reef National Park[2] and the San Rafael Swell.[3] It is threatened by a number of processes and it is federally listed as an endangered species of the United States.
This plant grows in shrublands on a specific type of soil. It is usually fine or sandy in texture and there is a large amount of material scattered on the land, including pebbles, gravel, and fossil oyster shells. An important component of the substrate is the cryptobiotic crust that lies on top. The cactus is absent from areas where this crust has been destroyed.[2]
Description
Sclerocactus wrightiae is cactus has a spherical or cylindrical shape and a pale green color. It grows up to 11 centimeters tall by 8 wide. There are several pale radial spines and a few hooked central spines with darkened tips on each areole. The radial spines are up to 2 centimeters long and the central spines may exceed 4 centimeters.
The fragrant funnel- or bell-shaped flowers are white to pink in color and up to 4 centimeters long and wide.[3]
Conservation
Threats to the species include damage to the habitat during hydrocarbon exploration and the mining of coal, gypsum, bentonite and bentonite clay, uranium, vanadium, building stone and gravel. Livestock activity, such as trampling and uprooting of plants, may be a threat. Off-road vehicle use causes damage. Poaching is still a problem. The cactus apparently suffers from predation by the beetle Moneilema semipunctatum and perhaps other beetles.
Small mammals such as Ord's kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ordii) and White-tailed antelope squirrel (Ammospermophilus leucurus) may eat the cactus.[2]
References
- ↑ Dan Lewis Fische Early Southwest Ornithologists, 1528-1900, p. 82-83, at Google Books
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 USFWS. Sclerocactus wrightiae Five-year Review. August 2008.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Sclerocactus wrightiae. Flora of North America.
External links
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