Shorthook Fishhook Cactus / Center For Plant Conservation
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Plant Profile

Shorthook Fishhook Cactus (Sclerocactus brevihamatus ssp. tobuschii)

This species produces yellow flowers during the months of February to early April. Photo Credit: San Antonio Botanical Garden
  • Global Rank: T3 - Vulnerable
  • Legal Status: Federally Threatened
  • Family: Cactaceae
  • State: TX
  • Nature Serve ID: 153206
  • Lifeform: Subshrub, Shrub
  • Categories of Interest: Cacti/Succulents
  • Date Inducted in National Collection: 03/08/1989
Description:

Tobusch fishhook cactus has attractive yellow flowers which appear in early spring. This beautiful little cactus grows in limestone arroyos in the eastern part of the Edwards Plateau. This is an area that is highly desirable for land development, which is a major threat to the survival of the species. Cacti and succulent collectors have also been cause for the decline in numbers of this plant. The plant is called a "fishhook cactus" due to the hook on the end of one of its spines. (USFWS 1987)

Where is Shorthook Fishhook Cactus (Sclerocactus brevihamatus ssp. tobuschii) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Thin clay soils over limestone; seasonally wet, well drained soils; limestone gravel along higher stream banks. Associated plants include oak, sycamore, and Ashe juniper (USFWS 1987)

Distribution:

Eastern section of Edward's Plateau in Texas (Bandera, Edwards, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, Real, Uvalde, and Val Verde counties). (Texas Parks and Wildlife 2002)

States & Provinces:

Shorthook Fishhook Cactus can be found in Texas

Which CPC Partners conserve Shorthook Fishhook Cactus (Sclerocactus brevihamatus ssp. tobuschii)?

  • Desert Botanical Garden

    Not Sponsored
    Assigned 06/09/17
    • CPC's Plant Sponsorship Program provides long term stewardship of rare plants in our National Collection. We are so grateful for all our donors who have made the Plant Sponsorship Program so successful. We are in the process of acknowledging all our wonderful plant sponsorship donors on our website. This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

    Conservation Actions

    • 09/28/2020
      • Living Collection

    Currently, the San Antonio Botanical Garden has several small cacti, which are being maintained in the greenhouse.

    • 09/28/2020
      • Propagation Research

    The San Antonio Botanical Garden has recently experimented with seed collected in situ. Seeds were planted in a mix of sand and Sunshine mix, with many germinating and thriving.

    • 09/28/2020
      • Seed Collection

    The San Antonio Botanical Garden has recently experimented with seed collected in situ. Seeds were planted in a mix of sand and Sunshine mix, with many germinating and thriving.

    Nature Serve Biotics
    • 05/02/2017

    Occurs in Texas on the Edwards Plateau, with almost 100 extant occurrences. Most occurrences are small (less than 100 individuals) but overall the species is fairly stable. At least 10 occurrences are being protected and monitored. The primary threat as of 2016 is mortality by parasitic insects.

    Cindy Barrett
    • 01/01/2010

    Habitat alteration for deer management, livestock trampling, foraging by armadillos, over-collecting, land development.

    Cindy Barrett
    • 01/01/2010

    Greater than 500 individuals in 33 populations at 4 protected sites (3 state parks + one private)

    Cindy Barrett
    • 01/01/2010

    The San Antonio Botanical Garden has recently experimented with seed collected in situ. Seeds were planted in a mix of sand and Sunshine mix, with many germinating and thriving.

    Cindy Barrett
    • 01/01/2010

    Currently, the San Antonio Botanical Garden has several small cacti, which are being maintained in the greenhouse.

    Cindy Barrett
    • 01/01/2010

    Study ecological relationships Collect seed from wild populations Manage an ex situ collection and monitor for insect and disease problems

    Cindy Barrett
    • 01/01/2010

    Send seed to the National Seed Storage Lab.

    MORE

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    Nomenclature
    Taxon Sclerocactus brevihamatus ssp. tobuschii
    Authority (W.T. Marshall) N.P. Taylor
    Family Cactaceae
    CPC Number 126
    ITIS 525076
    USDA ANTO3
    Duration Perennial
    Common Names Tobusch fishhook cactus | shorthook fishhook cactus
    Associated Scientific Names Ancistrocactus tobuschii | Sclerocactus brevihamatus ssp. tobuschii | Echinocactus tobuschii | Mammillaria tobuschii | Pediocactus brevihamatus ssp. tobuschii | Sclerocactus scheeri
    Distribution Eastern section of Edward's Plateau in Texas (Bandera, Edwards, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, Real, Uvalde, and Val Verde counties). (Texas Parks and Wildlife 2002)
    State Rank
    State State Rank
    Texas S3
    Ecological Relationships

    Photos

    This species produces yellow flowers during the months of February to early April. Photo Credit: San Antonio Botanical Garden

    The beautiful pale yellow flowers of the Tobush fishhook cactus. Photo Credit: San Antonio Botanical Garden
    Pollinators
    Common Name Name in Text Association Type Source InteractionID
    Bees
    Sweat bees Agapostemon Floral Visitor Link
    Honey bees Apix mellifera Confirmed Pollinator Link
    Sweat bees Dialictus comulus Confirmed Pollinator Link
    Sweat bees Dialictus pruinosiformis Floral Visitor Link
    Sweat bees Lasioglossum morrilli Floral Visitor Link
    Sweat bees Lasioglossum morrilli Floral Visitor Link
    Leaf-cutting bees Osmia subfaciala Floral Visitor Link
    Butterflies & Moths
    Sulphurs Eurema nicippe Floral Visitor Link
    Beetles
    Leaf beetles Diabrotica undecimpunctata Floral Visitor Link
    Other
    Black ant Floral Visitor Link
    Reintroduction
    Lead Institution State Reintroduction Type Year of First Outplanting
    Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Texas Reinforcement 2012

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