(Engelm.) L. Benson
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.154352
Element CodePDCAC0J060
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNLeast concern
CITESAppendix I
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderCaryophyllales
FamilyCactaceae
GenusSclerocactus
SynonymsSclerocactus pubispinus var. pubispinus
Other Common NamesGreat Basin fishhook 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.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-07-31
Change Date2025-07-31
Edition Date2025-07-16
Edition AuthorsLAMBERT, A., rev. A. Tomaino (2015), rev. Johnson, J. (2025)
Threat ImpactHigh
Range Extent5000-20,000 square km (about 2000-8000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences21 - 80
Rank ReasonsSclerocactus pubispinus is a small cactus found in the central Great Basin of the western United States along the border between Nevada and Utah. This species has a modest and decreasing range extent and number of occurrences. It is threatened by cactus-boring beetles, grazing, invasive plants, and poaching for the succulent trade.
Range Extent CommentsSclerocactus pubispinus occurs in the western United States, in Nevada along the eastern edges of Elko, Lincoln, and White Pine counties, and western Utah, from Tooele County to Beaver County (FNA 2003, GBIF 2025, NatureServe 2025). Range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are 19 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025). Photo-based observations represent between 7 and 42 additional occurrences but geoprivacy settings and identification challenges make it difficult to determine the exact number (iNaturalist 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsLivestock grazing is common throughout the range of this species (NatureServe 2025). While grazing animals are unlikely to directly consume these cacti, the subsequent cheatgrass invasion that follows grazing may prevent seedlings from establishing (Woodruff 2010). Off-road vehicles and mining are threats to some populations (NatureServe 2025). Poaching of related Sclerocactus species is a major concern (Reisor 2022). While there are laws prohibiting commercial cactus collection in Nevada, these are difficult to enforce.
A serious threat in the southern portion of this species' range that may be spreading northward is the native cactus-boring beetle Moneilema punctata (Woodruff 2010). While this beetle species normally attacks Optunia species, some portion of the population began targeting Sclerocactus and related genera in the 1970s or earlier in southern Utah and individuals with this host preference appear to be spreading to other areas. These beetles attack the largest plants in a population, removing the mature, reproductive individuals. Monitoring of individual sites at the south end of the species' range in 2006 showed significant declines in plant numbers due to cactus-boring beetles (Woodruff 2010). According to Woodruff (2010) "Mark Dimmitt of the Arizona–Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, concerned about the Museum‘s gardens, considers Moneilema the most injurious insect predator of cacti in the US".