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Plant Profile

Navajo Pincushion Cactus (Pediocactus peeblesianus ssp. peeblesianus)

Pediocactus peeblesianus ssp. peeblesianus close-up.

Photo Credit: Kirstin Phillips

Global Rank: T1 - Critically Imperiled
Legal Status: Federally Endangered
Family: Cactaceae
State: AZ
Nature Serve ID: 156821
Lifeform: Shrub
Categories of Interest: Cacti/Succulents
Date Inducted in National Collection: 01/01/1985

Description:

A tiny succulent, the Navajo pincushion cactus only grows to 2.5 cm in height and averages 1.5 cm in diameter. This species exhibits spongy white spines, which helps separate it from the other eight Pediocactus species, all of which are found in the western U.S. The eight known populations of Navajo pincushion cactus are found on rolling hills, featuring gravelly soils, in Navajo County, Arizona. Occupied habitat includes lands managed by BLM, Arizona State Lands Department and private property. The yellow-green flowers (often larger than the stem!) bloom in late April for about three weeks. During periods of drought, P. peeblesianus stems can retract into the soil leaving no visible sign of the plant on the soil’s surface. This trait, combined with a short bloom period, make surveying for new populations quite challenging! Navajo pincushion cactus was listed endangered in 1979 and a Recovery Plan was published by the USFWS in 1984. As of the 2008 5-Year Review (USFWS), threats to Navajo pincushion cactus include trampling from cattle, OHV use, illegal collecting, increasing temperatures and droughts, competition with invasive species (camelthorn), wildfire (associated with invasive species increases), drought induced herbivory, and development of energy resources.

Where is Navajo Pincushion Cactus (Pediocactus peeblesianus ssp. peeblesianus) located in the wild?

States & Provinces:

Navajo Pincushion Cactus can be found in Arizona

Which CPC Partners conserve Navajo Pincushion Cactus (Pediocactus peeblesianus ssp. peeblesianus)?

The Arboretum at Flagstaff

Conservation Actions

Katie Heineman

11/22/2022

The Arboretum at Flagstaff has extensive experience working with the genus Pediocactus and has successfully propagated P. bradyi from seed in the greenhouse. We believe much of this knowledge will transfer to Navajo pincushion cactus. Currently, The Arboretum is working with Arizona BLM to acquire funding for internships that would focus on Navajo pincushion cactus conservation. Arboretum staff meet regularly with BLM to assist with surveying. Additional conservation funds would greatly benefit The Arboretum’s staff of two in insuring that this species remains on the landscape.

Nature Serve Biotics

05/02/2017

Endemic to a small area in Arizona, where it is restricted to a specific, gravelly soil type. Gravel quarrying has destroyed as much as one-fourth of the potential habitat in the area. There may be less than 1000 individuals left in the wild, and these are sought by collectors and threatened by off-road vehicle use, urban development, continued gravel pit mining operations, grazing, climate change (drought), and possibly new energy development such as wind energy.

01/01/2010

heavy rodent predation during dry years

01/01/2010

restricted to specialized and localized soils in Navajo County, Arizona