Pariette Cactus

The pariette cactus has been listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act since 1997.

Species Description: The pariette cactus is a barrelshaped cacti usually with straight (i.e., hookless) central spines, solitary, ovoid to early globular succulent stems approximately 4 to 18 centimeters (cm) (1.5 to 7 inches (in.)) tall (exceptional plants 30 cm (12 in.) tall), and generally pinkish flowers. Flowering occurs from April to May and fruiting occurs from May to June. The fruit is barrel-shaped, 0.8 to 1.3 cm (0.3 to 0.5 in.) long, and about 0.8 cm (0.3 in.) in diameter. Sclerocactus brevispinus has succulent unbranched stems usually 2.5 to 8 cm (1.0 to 3.1 in.) tall that vary from depressed spheric to shortened cylindrical in shape, and its flowers have a broad, brownish midstripe and pink to purple margins. The fruit is shortened, barrel-shaped, reddish or reddish grey when ripe, 0.7 to 1.2 cm (0.3 to 0.5 in.) wide, and 0.9 to 2.5 cm (0.4 to 1.0 in.) long.

Location: The only known pariette cactus (Sclerocactus brevispinus) population occurs in a 12,000‑acre area of scattered suitable habitat. Approximately 72 percent of the range occurs within the approved Castle Peak/Eightmile Flat oil and gas project area and the pending Gasco Uinta Basin Natural Gas Field Development project. The remaining portion of its range contains wells drilled in the Sand Wash and Greater Boundary Units. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) administers about 80 percent of the species’ range. Expansion of the Castle Peak/Eightmile Flat oil and gas field overlaps much of the remaining suitable habitat for S. brevispinus by doubling the number of wells and the amount of surface disturbance in cactus habitat.

Threats: The species is vulnerable to habitat destruction of virtually all of its habitat. We have documented direct and indirect impacts to Pariette cactus oil field development activities, including direct loss of individual plants, sedimentation from roads, fragmentation, and increased road access and ORV use. These losses have occurred despite conservation efforts implemented by BLM and the oil field operator. Pariette cactus is prized by collectors and is also threatened by illegal collection and unregulated commercial trade.

Recent Actions: On September 18, 2007, we announced in the Federal Register a 12-month finding on a petition to list Sclerocactus brevispinus (Pariette cactus) as an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.

On December 14, 2006, we announced in the Federal Register (71 FR 75215) our finding that the petition presented substantial information indicating that listing the pariette cactus may be warranted.

	Mountain-Prairie Region Endangered Species Program
Pariette Cactus


*The pariette cactus has been listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act since 1997.* Species Description: The pariette cactus is a barrelshaped cacti usually with straight (i.e., hookless) central spines, solitary, ovoid to early globular succulent stems approximately 4 to 18 centimeters (cm) (1.5 to 7 inches (in.)) tall (exceptional plants 30 cm (12 in.) tall), and generally pinkish flowers. Flowering occurs from April to May and fruiting occurs from May to June. The fruit is barrel-shaped, 0.8 to 1.3 cm (0.3 to 0.5 in.) long, and about 0.8 cm (0.3 in.) in diameter. Sclerocactus brevispinus has succulent unbranched stems usually 2.5 to 8 cm (1.0 to 3.1 in.) tall that vary from depressed spheric to shortened cylindrical in shape, and its flowers have a broad, brownish midstripe and pink to purple margins. The fruit is shortened, barrel-shaped, reddish or reddish grey when ripe, 0.7 to 1.2 cm (0.3 to 0.5 in.) wide, and 0.9 to 2.5 cm (0.4 to 1.0 in.) long. Location: The only known pariette cactus (Sclerocactus brevispinus) population occurs in a 12,000‑acre area of scattered suitable habitat. Approximately 72 percent of the range occurs within the approved Castle Peak/Eightmile Flat oil and gas project area and the pending Gasco Uinta Basin Natural Gas Field Development project. The remaining portion of its range contains wells drilled in the Sand Wash and Greater Boundary Units. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) administers about 80 percent of the species’ range. Expansion of the Castle Peak/Eightmile Flat oil and gas field overlaps much of the remaining suitable habitat for S. brevispinus by doubling the number of wells and the amount of surface disturbance in cactus habitat. Threats: The species is vulnerable to habitat destruction of virtually all of its habitat. We have documented direct and indirect impacts to Pariette cactus oil field development activities, including direct loss of individual plants, sedimentation from roads, fragmentation, and increased road access and ORV use. These losses have occurred despite conservation efforts implemented by BLM and the oil field operator. Pariette cactus is prized by collectors and is also threatened by illegal collection and unregulated commercial trade. Recent Actions: On September 18, 2007, we announced in the Federal Register a 12-month finding on a petition to list Sclerocactus brevispinus (Pariette cactus) as an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. Federal Register Notice: September 18, 2007 Press Release: September 18, 2007 Listing of the Pariette Cactus under the ESA is Warranted But Precluded On December 14, 2006, we announced in the Federal Register (71 FR 75215) our finding that the petition presented substantial information indicating that listing the pariette cactus may be warranted. More information can be found on the Service's ECOS webpage Privacy, Disclaimer and Copyrights Children's Privacy Policy Return to the Mountain-Prairie Home Page Return to the Endangered Species Home Page