Sclerocactus polyancistrus
Sclerocactus polyancistrus, the Mohave fishhook cactus or redspined fishhook cactus, is a species of flowering cactus in the genus Sclerocactus. It is found in the Mojave Desert in the Southwestern United States.
Description
The Sclerocactus polyancistrus cactus has a cylindrical stem up to tall by wide. They may grow in clusters. The cactus is densely spiny, each areole has several reddish or white central [Thorns, Thorns, spines, and prickles|spines, and prickles|spines] with hooked tips and several more white spines around the edge.The fragrant flower is up to wide and may be most any shade of pink or red-violet. The scaly, fleshy fruit is long.
Distribution and habitat
Sclerocactus polyancistrus is native to the Mojave Desert in eastern California and southern Nevada. It grows in rocky alluvial soils and in Mojave desert scrub at elevations of above sea level.Conservation
, the conservation group NatureServe listed Sclerocactus polyancistrus as Vulnerable (G3) worldwide. This status was last reviewed on 30 December 2015. At the state level within the United States, the group assessed this species as Vulnerable in California and Imperiled in Nevada.The IUCN Red List, another conservation group, assessed this species as Least Concern worldwide. Their assessment was last reviewed on 12 May 2010.