In 2014, Stacy Anderson with SDZG led a common garden study comparing seeds, germination, growth habit, and reproduction of 6 different populations of thornmint from throughout the county.

Common garden studies at SDZG showed that the species is easily propagated and produces copious amounts of seed when grown in a controlled setting.

"This endemic is genetically complex, revealing significant differentiation of neutral and potentially adaptive genetic variation among populations, and possessing at least two cytotypes, sometimes even within the same population.

In 2017, SDZG made maternal line seed collections from 4 populations in San Diego County. 2 of these collections are going to be used as part of a seed bulking project. When grown in a controlled setting this species produces copious amounts of seed. Through this bulking project 10's of thousands of seeds will be available for augmentation of managed populations, and potentially for introduction into new or historic locations. Maternity will be tracked, and unless research directs us otherwise, the genetic diversity of different populations will be kept separate.

In 2018, SDZG made three new seed collections of Acanthomintha ilicifolia in San Diego County. 12,400 seeds were counted from 238 maternal lines in 9 sub-populations within the three locations. These will be added to the seed bulking project and kept for research and future species recovery projects.

Based on an September 2020 extract of the California Plant Rescue Database, San Diego Zoo Global holds 15 accessions of Acanthomintha ilicifolia in orthodox seed collection. There are as many as 151907 seeds of this species in their collection - although some may have been used for curation testing or sent to back up.

Based on an September 2020 extract of the California Plant Rescue Database, California Botanic Garden holds 17 accessions of Acanthomintha ilicifolia in orthodox seed collection. There are as many as 1734339 seeds of this species in their collection - although some may have been used for curation testing or sent to back up.

Based on an August 2020 extract of the California Plant Rescue Database, San Diego Zoo Global has collected 15 seed accessions of Acanthomintha ilicifolia from 10 plant occurrences listed in the California Natural Diversity Database. These collections together emcompass 1191 maternal plants

"This endemic is genetically complex, revealing significant differentiation of neutral and potentially adaptive genetic variation among populations, and possessing at least two cytotypes, sometimes even within the same population. While additional study is required to resolve the extent of potential local adaptation in this species, conservation plans should limit the movement of germplasm among occurrences and monitor populations in order to limit potential long-term impacts to population viability. Given that these findings challenge the canonical model of genetic structure in rare plants (low genetic variation and limited genetic structure), we recommend guidelines to apply genetic information to conservation strategies".

In 2018, SDZG made three new seed collections of Acanthomintha ilicifolia in San Diego County. 12,400 seeds were counted from 238 maternal lines in 9 sub-populations within the three locations. These will be added to the seed bulking project and kept for research and future species recovery projects.

In 2014, Stacy Anderson with SDZG led a common garden study comparing seeds, germination, growth habit, and reproduction of 6 different populations of thornmint from throughout the county.

As of 2017, invasive species and climate change pose the largest threat to this species. While development, grazing, and trampling were certainly causes of a massive decline in population and threats at time of listing, these threats have been minimized as the species is now protected by the San Diego Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) and by the laws afforded to state and federally listed endangered species. Most populations are well documented, monitored, and recreational activities are managed where necessary. Invasive grasses and non-native forbs can completely cover clay lenses, leading to reduced light, water competition, and the development of thatch. This can also lead to increased fire-frequency. Rainfall and temperature affect germination and successful reproduction in A. ilicifolia and climate change threatens to alter these factors in the future. It is believed that the soil seed bank of this species is relatively small, and potentially short-lived. Prolonged drought (thought to be more common as a result of climate change) could lead to a drastic decline in numbers, resulting in inbreeding depression, genetic bottle-necks, and/or occurrence extirpations.

With many of the known occurrences on conserved land, research should focus on weed removal strategies, seed reintroduction strategies, seed viability studies, soil seed bank longevity studies, etc. Common garden studies at SDZG showed that the species is easily propagated and produces copious amounts of seed when grown in a controlled setting. Seed bulking from wild collected seed could allow for the augmentation of well managed populations. It is also possible to reintroduce seed into historic locations with extirpated populations. Weed removal will be key to the success of any reintroduction/augmentation plan. John Ekhoff with the California Department of Fish and Game has had great success in controlling weeds at the Hollenbeck Wildlife Area occurrence, and the population is doing very well (as of 2017).

Per USFWS 2009 report:
39 of the 55 extant occurrenes of Acanthomintha ilicifolia are conserved. Eight of the conserved occurrences are on land owned and managed by the Cleveland National Forest. Eight are on land owned or partially owned by the State of California. Eight are on land owned or managed by local governments; two by the County, five by the City of San Diego, and one by the City of San Marcos. Eighteen conserved occurrences are on privately owned lands. Seven of these occurrences are on lands that receive minimal management because they are managed by home owners associations or they are on conserved lands where the conservation of A. ilicifolia is not the primary focus of the preserved land. The other eleven privately owned occurrences are managed by organizations focusing on the habitat and rare species conservation and who actively manage and monitor A. ilicifolia at these sites. Of these eleven occurrences, the Center for Natural Lands Management manages five occurrences; TNC manages two occurrences; The Back County Land Trust manages one occurrence; and the San Diego Habitat Conservancy manages two occurrences.

As of the 2009 USFWS report, 39 of the 55 extant populations were conserved.

As of the USFWS 5-year review in 2009, there were records for 80 historic occurrences with 55 known extant populations in San Diego County. 37 of the extant populations had recent survey data available while 13 had not been surveyed. At the time (2009) there were 13 historic occurrences in Baja Mexico, though no information on their status was available. At the time of listing (1998), an estimated 150,000-170,000 individuals were estimated. No estimate was given in 2009 but it was believed that there were likely a greater number of individuals, because more occurrences had been found. It is very difficult to estimate the number of living individuals of this species as the population numbers fluctuate greatly from year to year.

In 2017, SDZG made maternal line seed collections from 4 populations in San Diego County. 2 of these collections are going to be used as part of a seed bulking project. When grown in a controlled setting this species produces copious amounts of seed. Through this bulking project 10's of thousands of seeds will be available for augmentation of managed populations, and potentially for introduction into new or historic locations. Maternity will be tracked, and unless research directs us otherwise, the genetic diversity of different populations will be kept separate.

Habitat loss and fragmentation are expected to continue with the development of southern California and northern Baja California. At least 40% of the historic known sites in the U.S. have been extirpated by residential and commercial development. Ongoing off-road vehicle use, trampling by cattle, erosion, and invasion by non-native plants are also threatening populations.

Development (has destroyed 90% of suitable habitat for this species) Off-road vehicle use (including dirt bikes) Trampling by cattle and horses Invasion by exotic grasses and other non-native species (USFWS 1998)

There are 150,000-170,000 individuals located in 32 populations, but only four of these are covered by the Multiple species Conservation Program (MSCP) in southern San Diego (USFWS 1998).

San Diego thorn-mint (Acanthomintha ilicifolia) Mitigation Projects, San Diego, CA. Robert S. Taylor, Jr. collected baseline ecological and demographic data on this state endangered plant species as part of five year monitoring program. Monitored six natural populations and three artificially created populations. Analyzed density, vigor and reproductive parameters to assess population viability. Dr. Ellen Bauder seems to be the one person doing research on the species. She is at San Diego State University. (Bauder 1994)

This species is covered in the San Diego Multiple Species Conservation Plan.

This species needs new or restored suitable habitat to return to healthy numbers.