Stacked bar chart showing the conversation status of different plant. Almost half of U.S. cacti are vulnerable to extinction.
Almost half of U.S. cacti are
vulnerable to extinction
Conservation status of plants in the U.S.
Possibly
extinct
Vulnerable
Secure
Critically
imperiled
Unranked
Apparently
Imperiled
secure
0%
50
100
All plants
Cacti
46.4%
Ferns
Orchids
Trees
Grasses
Sedges
All other
plants
A report from the non-profit NatureServe detailing which plants, animals and hibitats in the U.S. are at risk found that almost half of cacti are graded as vulnerable to extinction or worse due to many factors such as loss of habitat and poaching.
Chautle-living rock
(Ariocarpus fissuratus)
Status:
Apparently secure
This small, soft, plush cactus is found in Northern Mexico and west Texas, often resembling the stones it grows among. Over the past decade, Federal agents have arrested poaching rings in Texas that have been removing the living rock by the thousands, likely intended for sale to overseas collectors.
The Living rock grows slowly, even by cactus standards, so it may be decades before populations rebound from the effects of the poaching.
Saguaro cactus
(Carnegiea gigantea)
Status:
Secure
This giant of the Sonoran Desert is a keystone species, providing food, protection and shelter to hundreds of other species. Millions of Saguaro are found across Arizona and northwestern Mexico, and despite growing slowly, they routinely live 150 to 200 years.
In recent years its native habitat has been growing hotter and drier potentially expanding the Saguaro’s range. But the drier weather also increases the threat of fire and the past few years have seen thousands of Saguaro perish in wildfires.
Total range
of cactus
UTAH
Salt Lake City
Pariette cactus
(Sclerocactus brevispinus)
Status:
Critically imperiled
The Pariette cactus is a small barrel shaped plant that only reaches about 3 inches tall, and estimated total population between 10,000 and 100,000. It is only known to grow in a small area in north eastern Utah where the soil and conditions are right. The Pariette has been graded a critically imperiled risk for extinction, and threatened by impacts from oil and gas development, poaching, damage by livestock and drought.
Sources: NatureServe; U.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Service
Travis Hartman and Daisy Chung | Reuters, Feb. 05, 2023
Almost half of U.S. cacti are vulnerable to extinction
Conservation status of plants in the U.S.
Possibly
extinct
Imperiled
Unranked
Secure
Critically
imperiled
Vulnerable
Apparently
secure
0%
50
100
All plants
Cacti
46.4%
Ferns
Orchids
Trees
Grasses
Sedges
All other
plants
A report from the non-profit NatureServe detailing which plants, animals and hibitats in the U.S. are at risk found that almost half of cacti are graded as vulnerable to extinction or worse due to many factors such as loss of habitat and poaching.
Chautle-living rock
(Ariocarpus fissuratus)
Saguaro cactus
(Carnegiea gigantea)
Status:
Apparently secure
This small, soft, plush cactus is found in Northern Mexico and west Texas, often resembling the stones it grows among. Over the past decade, Federal agents have arrested poaching rings in Texas that have been removing the living rock by the thousands, likely intended for sale to overseas collectors.
The Living rock grows slowly, even by cactus standards, so it may be decades before populations rebound from the effects of the poaching.
Total range
of cactus
UTAH
Status:
Secure
This giant of the Sonoran Desert is a keystone species, providing food, protection and shelter to hundreds of other species. Millions of Saguaro are found across Arizona and northwestern Mexico, and despite growing slowly, they routinely live 150 to 200 years.
In recent years its native habitat has been growing hotter and drier potentially expanding the Saguaro’s range. But the drier weather also increases the threat of fire and recent years have seen thousands of Saguaro perish in wildfires.
Salt Lake City
Pariette cactus
(Sclerocactus brevispinus)
Status:
Critically imperiled
The Pariette cactus is a small barrel shaped plant that only reaches about 3 inches tall, and estimated total population between 10,000 and 100,000. It is only known to grow in a small area in north eastern Utah where the soil and conditions are right. The Pariette has been graded a critically imperiled risk for extinction, and threatened by impacts from oil and gas development, poaching, damage by livestock and drought.
Sources: NatureServe; U.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Service
Travis Hartman and Daisy Chung | Reuters, Feb. 05, 2023