Escobaria villardii
Castetter, Pierce & Schwerin
Sacramento Mountain Foxtail Cactus
G2ImperiledGlobal Rank
LowThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.156334
Element CodePDCAC0X040
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
CITESAppendix II
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderCaryophyllales
FamilyCactaceae
GenusEscobaria
Other Common NamesSacramento Mountain foxtail cactus (EN) Villard Pincushion Cactus (EN)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Taxonomic CommentsThe Flora of North America (2003) includes Escobaria villardii within the Coryphantha (Escobaria) sneedii complex. However, the New Mexico Rare Plant Technical Council considers E. villardii to be a distinct entity, representing a distinct population of plants that is geographically defined (Ferguson 2006).
Conservation Status
Rank MethodLegacy Rank calculation - Excel v3.1x
Review Date2013-06-26
Change Date1998-01-26
Edition Date2013-06-26
Edition AuthorsLAMBERT, A., rev. DeBruin/Maybury (1996), rev. M. Russo and A. Frances (2013)
Threat ImpactLow
Range Extent250-5000 square km (about 100-2000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences1 - 80
Rank ReasonsEndemic to the western escarpment of the Sacramento Mountains and northern Franklin Mountains in Otero and Doña Ana counties, New Mexico. The only threat is that of accidental wildfire in the grass habitat; there is little collection or grazing in its nearly inaccessible locations.
Range Extent CommentsWest slope of the Sacramento Mountains and northern Franklin Mountains, Otero and Doña Ana counties, New Mexico.
Occurrences CommentsAlthough 31 occurrences are reported by Natural Heritage New Mexico, all are unranked and have not been visited in over 20 years.
Threat Impact CommentsThis species is common within its area of distribution. There are no known threats to populations at this time (Ferguson 2006). Long-term threats include collection, mineral development, or heavy grazing by sheep, goats or other domestic livestock. It should be managed to maintain numbers and habitat (McIntosh 1992).
Ecology & Habitat
Diagnostic Characteristics
Escobaria tuberculosa usually has more richly colored flowers that open widely, fruits that ripen bright red, and seeds that are smaller and rounder. The markedly stout, rigid, and darkly pigmented central spines distinguish Escobaria villardii from other members of the Escobaria sneedii Complex.
Habitat
Black grama (Bouteloua eriopoda) grassland on well-developed soil of nearly flat benches above vertical, north-facing limestone cliffs at 1375-1825 m elevation. Loamy soils of desert grassland with Chihuahuan desert scrub on broad gravelly limestone benches in mountainous terrain; 1370-2000 m (4500-6500 ft).
Terrestrial HabitatsGrassland/herbaceous
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN2
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|
| New Mexico | S2 | Yes |
References (7)
- Ferguson, D.J. 2006. <i>Escobaria villardii </i>(Villard pincushion cactus). New Mexico Rare Plant Technical Council. Available online: http://nmrareplants.unm.edu/rarelist_single.php?SpeciesID=87.
- Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2003b. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 4, Magnoliophyta: Caryophyllidae, part 1. Oxford University Press, New York. xxiv + 559 pp.
- Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
- Martin, W.C., and C.R. Hutchins. 1980-1981. A flora of New Mexico. 2 vols. J. Cramer, in der A.R. Gantner Verlag, K.G., Vaduz, Liechtenstein. 2591 pp.
- McIntosh, L. 1992. Results of <i>Escobaria villardii</i> inventory Sacramento Escarpment. BLM District Office, Las Cruces, NM.
- New Mexico Native Plant Protection Advisory Committee. 1984. A handbook of rare and endemic plants of New Mexico. Univ. New Mexico Press, Albuquerque. 291 pp.
- Sivinski, R. 1995. Status report for Villard's pincushion cactus (Escobaria villardii: Cactaceae). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque, New Mexico.