Propagation of this species is a continuing effort at the Desert Botanical Gardens. Cuttings were made in 1990, and rooted, but later died during transplant attempts. even seeds collected from a population in 1991 were scarified and planted. Only three of the seeds matured. In 1994, cuttings were again made, rooted, and plants flowered. Fruits formed, but failed to develop, dropping off before reaching half their length. The cuttings failed to emerge from dormancy in 1995 and finally died. It is possible that the number of plants in this population is too small for sexual reproduction. To date, Desert Botanical Garden has 59 seeds of G. dumosum. Plants have been grown to flower ex situ, but have never produced seeds. Stem cuttings have been rooted--a relatively low percentage (<10%) formed roots following collection, leafed out, flowered, and produced only empty fruits. The cuttings then entered winter dormancy, declined and died. The site at Six-shooter Hill is close enough to the highway to easily maintain as a potential augmentation, but the environmental pressures are extremely challenging. (Desert Botanical Garden 2000)

Propagation of this species is a continuing effort at the Desert Botanical Gardens. Cuttings were made in 1990, and rooted, but later died during transplant attempts. even seeds collected from a population in 1991 were scarified and planted. Only three of the seeds matured. In 1994, cuttings were again made, rooted, and plants flowered. Fruits formed, but failed to develop, dropping off before reaching half their length. The cuttings failed to emerge from dormancy in 1995 and finally died. It is possible that the number of plants in this population is too small for sexual reproduction. To date, Desert Botanical Garden has 59 seeds of G. dumosum. Plants have been grown to flower ex situ, but have never produced seeds. Stem cuttings have been rooted--a relatively low percentage (<10%) formed roots following collection, leafed out, flowered, and produced only empty fruits. The cuttings then entered winter dormancy, declined and died. The site at Six-shooter Hill is close enough to the highway to easily maintain as a potential augmentation, but the environmental pressures are extremely challenging. (Desert Botanical Garden 2000)

Only 6 occurrences are known: 3 in Brewster County, Texas (all within a few km of one another) and 3 in Coahuila, Mexico. The Texas populations consist of fewer than 50 plants.

Possible threats to the only site that has been visited include routine maintenance and stochastic events, such as drought (Poole 1982).

There are three sites in Texas and additional but unconfirmed sites in Mexico (Poole 1982).

Propagation of this species is a continuing effort at the Desert Botanical Gardens. Cuttings were made in 1990, and rooted, but later died during transplant attempts. even seeds collected from a population in 1991 were scarified and planted. Only three of the seeds matured. In 1994, cuttings were again made, rooted, and plants flowered. Fruits formed, but failed to develop, dropping off before reaching half their length. The cuttings failed to emerge from dormancy in 1995 and finally died. It is possible that the number of plants in this population is too small for sexual reproduction. To date, Desert Botanical Garden has 59 seeds of G. dumosum. Plants have been grown to flower ex situ, but have never produced seeds. Stem cuttings have been rooted--a relatively low percentage (<10%) formed roots following collection, leafed out, flowered, and produced only empty fruits. The cuttings then entered winter dormancy, declined and died. The site at Six-shooter Hill is close enough to the highway to easily maintain as a potential augmentation, but the environmental pressures are extremely challenging. (Desert Botanical Garden 2000)

Plants are being monitored regularly by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. At the Six-shooter Hill population, there are only fifteen plants remaining. Seeds have been observed on only one plant, in one year during the eight years that Desert Botanical Garden staff has visited. (Desert Botanical Garden 2000)

Surveys of sites in Mexico are needed in order to determine if U.S. populations require protection. Research needs include aspects of reproductive biology and ecology and well as understanding biotic/abiotic interactions.