Wright's Fishhook Cactus / Center For Plant Conservation
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Plant Profile

Wright's Fishhook Cactus (Sclerocactus wrightiae)

This shot shows the VERY large barrel cactus and flowers. This plant is unusual in that there are buds growing on its sides. Photo Credit: Vincent Tepedino
  • Global Rank: G2 - Imperiled
  • Legal Status: Federally Endangered
  • Family: Cactaceae
  • State: UT
  • Nature Serve ID: 144121
  • Lifeform: Shrub
  • Categories of Interest: Cacti/Succulents
  • Date Inducted in National Collection:
Description:

Wright's fishhook cactus was listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1979. (USFWS 1979) A small cactus with short spines. The lovely yellowish to pink flowers can be seen in late April to early June. This cactus grows in south-central Utah in salt desert shrub/grass and pinyon juniper communities between 1460 and 1865 meters.

Where is Wright's Fishhook Cactus (Sclerocactus wrightiae) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Plants are restricted to fine textured soils derived from Ferron Sandstone, Mancos Shale, Morrison, Summerville, Curtis, Entrada and Carmel Formations. Salt desert shrub/grass and pinyon juniper communities.

Distribution:

This species is known only from Wayne County, southwestern Emery County and southeastern Sevier County in Utah. (State of Utah Natural Resources 2002)

States & Provinces:

Wright's Fishhook Cactus can be found in Utah

Which CPC Partners conserve Wright's Fishhook Cactus (Sclerocactus wrightiae)?

  • Red Butte Garden and Arboretum

    Sponsored
    Sponsors Add
    Donor Acknowledgment - In the Works
    Conservation Actions
    Assigned 06/09/17

  • National Laboratory for Genetic Resource Preservation (USDA-ARS)

    Not Sponsored
    Conservation Actions
    Assigned 01/16/24
    • 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

    Tina Stanley
    • 01/16/2024
      • Orthodox Seed Banking

    Red Butte Garden has sent at least 800 wild-collected seeds of Sclerocactus wrightiae to the USDA-ARS National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation for long term storage.

    Tina Stanley
    • 01/16/2024
      • Seed Collection Living Collection Orthodox Seed Banking

    Between 1988 and 2009, Red Butte Garden staff made 14 wild seed collections representing more than 1,300 seeds from at least 7 individuals of Sclerocactus wrightiae. Over 400 of these seeds are held in long term storage at Red Butte Garden. In addition to these seed collections, 2 individuals are held as living specimens at Red Butte Garden.

    • 09/28/2020
      • Seed Collection Propagation Research

    Seeds have been germinated in the greenhouse, but plants did not survive. Protocol must be developed.

    Nature Serve Biotics
    • 05/02/2017

    Known from numerous locations in four Utah counties but the number of individuals at each location is usually low. Declines are reported at many sites. Threatened by mineral exploration, off-road vehicle traffic, and illegal collection.

    Sylvia Torti
    • 01/01/2010

    Infestation by cactus-borer beetle larvae Oil, coal and gas exploration Livestock trampling Off-road vehicle use Road construction and maintenance

    Sylvia Torti
    • 01/01/2010

    Clark and Groebner report on 1,365 individuals. (2000)

    Sylvia Torti
    • 01/01/2010

    Most of the populations occur on BLM land.

    Sylvia Torti
    • 01/01/2010

    Continued monitoring of populations, studies of their ecology, ex situ propagation protocols and re-introduction feasibility studies.

    Sylvia Torti
    • 01/01/2010

    Seeds have been germinated in the greenhouse, but plants did not survive. Protocol must be developed.

    MORE

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    Nomenclature
    Taxon Sclerocactus wrightiae
    Authority L. Benson
    Family Cactaceae
    CPC Number 3891
    ITIS 19766
    USDA SCWR
    Duration Perennial
    Common Names Wright fishhook cactus
    Associated Scientific Names Sclerocactus wrightiae | Pediocactus wrightiae | Ferocactus wrightiae
    Distribution This species is known only from Wayne County, southwestern Emery County and southeastern Sevier County in Utah. (State of Utah Natural Resources 2002)
    State Rank
    State State Rank
    Utah S2
    Ecological Relationships

    Photos

    This shot shows the VERY large barrel cactus and flowers. This plant is unusual in that there are buds growing on its sides. Photo Credit: Vincent Tepedino

    This shot shows the entire barrel, in bloom, with some accompanying plants. Photo Credit: Vincent Tepedino

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