Sclerocactus sileri

(L. Benson) Heil & J.M. Porter

Siler's Fishhook Cactus

G1Critically Imperiled Found in 3 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G1Critically ImperiledGlobal Rank
VulnerableIUCN
UnknownThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.155632
Element CodePDCAC0J0T0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNVulnerable
CITESAppendix II
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderCaryophyllales
FamilyCactaceae
GenusSclerocactus
Synonyms
Sclerocactus pubispinus var. sileriL. Benson
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1999. A synonymized checklist and atlas with biological attributes for the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. First edition. In: Kartesz, J.T., and C.A. Meacham. Synthesis of the North American Flora, Version 1.0. North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Taxonomic Comments
Sclerocactus pubispinus var. sileri is included in S. spinosior in Kartesz (1994), but recognized as distinct, at the species level in Kartesz (1999).
Conservation Status
Rank MethodLegacy Rank calculation - Excel v3.1x
Review Date2015-12-30
Change Date2004-04-21
Edition Date2015-12-30
Edition AuthorsMaybury, K., rev. S. Schuetze (2012), rev. A. Treher (2015)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent250-1000 square km (about 100-400 square miles)
Number of Occurrences6 - 20
Rank Reasons
Restricted to a very limited area in northeast Coconino County, Arizona, based on current information from field investigations and herbarium collections (FNA 2004). About 12 occurrences, most of them very small (2-10 plants). Plants are scattered throughout the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, on sandy/rocky soils. They are threatened by ORV use and collecting. (Wendy Hodgson, in Laurenzi and Spence 2012). Lee Hughes (BLM retired) reports the population as stable (in Laurenzi and Spence 2012).
Range Extent Comments
Restricted to a very limited area (Paria Plateau and Vermillion Cliffs) in northeast Coconino County, Arizona.
Occurrences Comments
12 occurrences (2 historical) restricted to a very limited area in NE Coconino County, Arizona.
Threat Impact Comments
Threats include ORV use and collecting (Wendy Hodgson, in Laurenzi and Spence 2012).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Sandstone to sandy soil of the Moenave, Chinle, and Navajo Formations; also silty sand or clay soils with a gravel component. Sometimes on mesas. Grama grassland to pinyon-juniper woodland communities. Associated species include drop seed, yucca, hedgehog cactus, sagebrush, and snakeweed. 1475 - 1860 m.
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest/WoodlandWoodland - ConiferSavannaGrassland/herbaceous
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN1
ProvinceRankNative
ArizonaS1Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
5 - Biological resource usePervasive (71-100%)UnknownHigh (continuing)
5.2 - Gathering terrestrial plantsPervasive (71-100%)UnknownHigh (continuing)
6 - Human intrusions & disturbanceUnknownUnknownUnknown
6.1 - Recreational activitiesUnknownUnknownUnknown

Plant Characteristics
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (3)
Arizona (3)
AreaForestAcres
Big RidgeKaibab National Forest9,087
Burro CanyonKaibab National Forest19,928
Red PointKaibab National Forest7,139
References (4)
  1. Arizona Rare Plant Committee (ARPC). 2001. Arizona rare plant field guide: A collaboration of agencies and organizations. Arizona Rare Plant Committee, Phoenix.
  2. 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.
  3. Heil, K.D., and J.M. Porter. 1994. Sclerocactus (Cactaceae): A revision. Haseltonia 2:20-46.
  4. Kartesz, J.T. 1999. A synonymized checklist and atlas with biological attributes for the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. First edition. In: Kartesz, J.T., and C.A. Meacham. Synthesis of the North American Flora, Version 1.0. North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, N.C.