(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species CACTUS, HEDGEHOG, SPINELESS
Species Id ESIS706009
Date 13 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - CACTUS, HEDGEHOG, SPINELESS
OTHER COMMON NAMES - CACTUS, HEDGEHOG, SPINELESS;HEDGEHOG and SPINELESS
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Angiosperm
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - MAGNOLIOPHYTA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - MAGNOLIOPSIDA,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - CARYOPHYLLALES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - CACTACEAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - ECHINOCEREUS,
SPECIES AND SSP - TRIGLOCHIDIATUS, VAR.
SCIENTIFIC NAME - ECHINOCEREUS TRIGLOCHIDIATUS VAR.
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Spineless Hedgehog Cactus
Echinocereus triglochidiatus var. inermis (Schum.) Arp
KINGDOM: Plant GROUP: Angiosperm
DIVISION: Magnoliophyta CLASS: Magnoliopsida
ORDER: Caryophyllales FAMILY: Cactaceae
Echinocereus triglochidiatus var. inermis (spineless hedgehog
cactus) grows in dense clumps with the number of joints ranging from
2-2,000 but most frequently 5-15. The green-colored joints are
cylindrical to ovoid in shape and may vary from 2-8 centimeters (cm)
in height and 2-5 cm in diameter. Each joint is divided into 8-9
vertical ribs, each edged with white areoles spaced 1-2 cm apart. The
areoles may either be completely spineless or may bear vestigial
spines, 5-8 in number and up to 2 cm in length. Flowering usually
occurs in April and May and results in pure red 5-8 cm long blossoms.
Bright red fruits usually 2 cm long are produced in May or June. The
black seeds are then moved by rodents, ants, water (01), and
hummingbirds (06).
There is still controversy over the specific rank of this cactus.
Dr. Lyman Benson, an authority on cacti in North America, does not
recognize variety inermis as a valid taxon (02). Benson saw no other
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species CACTUS, HEDGEHOG, SPINELESS
Species Id ESIS706009
Date 13 MAR 96
differences between E. triglochidiatus var. inermis and other
varieties of E. triglochidiatus, particularly E. triglochidiatus var.
melanacanthus. Benson saw E. triglochidiatus var. inermis as a
sporadic mutant scattered through the range of E. triglochidiatus var.
melanacanthus (03). Kartesz and Kartesz (08) consider var. inermis
as a synonym of var. melanacanthus. Weber, University of Colorado,
feels this taxon is isolated in a particular area and that it has a
distinctive morphology and that the plant should have a rank of
subspecies (04).
The taxon was originally published as E. phoeniceus Engelm. ex
Rumpler var. inermis K. Schum. in 1896. E. coccineus Engelm. var.
inermis J.A. Purpus was later applied in 1925 (07). The type specimen
was destroyed during the Second World War; however, the Neotype
designation is "Road along Brumley Ridge, in pinyon-juniper woods, on
Morrison formation, La Sal Mtns., San Juan County, Utah, June 5, 1970,
N.D. Atwood & S.L. Welsh 9,933." The specimen is deposited at Brigham
Young University (02).
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species CACTUS, HEDGEHOG, SPINELESS
Species Id ESIS706009
Date 13 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
E: Federal Endangered
Commercial
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The spineless hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus var.
inermis) has been designated as Endangered pursuant to the Endangered
Species Act of 1973 (50 CFR 17.12; P.L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884; 16
U.S.C. 1531-1540), as amended. The variety has this status
wherever found including the States of Colorado and Utah.
Removal and reduction to possession of any federally listed plant
from an area under Federal jurisdiction is unlawful (50 CFR 17.61 and
17.71).
This subspecies is protected by the Lacey Act (P.L. 97-79, as
amended; 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) which makes it unlawful to possess
any wild plant (including roots, seeds, and other parts) within U.S.
territorial or special maritime jurisdiction (as defined in 18 U.S.C.
7); or to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or
purchase in interstate or foreign commerce any wild plant (including
roots, seeds, and other parts) taken, possessed, transported, or sold
in violation of any State law or regulation. It is also unlawful to
import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any
wild plant (including roots, seeds, and other parts) taken or
possessed in violation of any U.S. law, treaty, or regulation or in
violation of Indian tribal law.
RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES:
USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and
law enforcement/protection of this species.
BLM -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public land under their control (43 CFR 4140). Also
responsible for management/recovery on Bureau of Land
Management lands.
USFS -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public lands under their control. Also responsible
for management/recovery on Forest Service lands. The
Forest Service is responsible for integrating
management, protection, and conservation of Federally
listed species into the Forest Planning process
(36 CFR 219.19 and 219.20).
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species CACTUS, HEDGEHOG, SPINELESS
Species Id ESIS706009
Date 13 MAR 96
All Federal agencies have responsibility to ensure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out by that agency is not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or result in the
destruction or adverse modification of Critical Habitat (50 CFR 402),
and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the
conservation of the species.
STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:
STATE: Colorado
DESIGNATED STATUS: Recognized Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Division of Wildlife
STATE STATUTE: CO Nat. Areas Act, CO Session Laws, 1977,
Chapt. 471, Sec. 1, 1624 (CRS 1973, 36-10-101,
et seq.).
STATE: Utah
DESIGNATED STATUS: None
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
The spineless cactus is listed in Appendix II of CITES, as are
all other cacti in the Americas (with the exception of those in
Appendix I).
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
This plant is a part of the natural diversity and has been
collected in the past for its rarity by dealers.
75/07/01:40 FR 27823/27924 - Acceptance of Petition
76/06/16:41 FR 24523/24572 - Proposed listing
77/06/24:42 FR 32373/32381 - Establishment of Rules protecting plant
79/11/07:44 FR 64744/64746 - Final rule, Endangered
85/07/22:50 FR 29901/29909 - Five year review
87/07/07:52 FR 25522/ - Notice of 5-year review completion
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL
LAND USE -
Shrub and Brush Rangeland
Evergreen Forest Land
Bare Exposed Rock
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The spineless hedgehog cactus grows on pinyon-juniper (Pinus
edulis - Juniperus osteosperma) mesas at 6,400-6,800 feet elevation.
It favors shallow soils with exposed bedrock of mostly sandstone
strata of the Dakota and Burro Canyon formations (06). The Grand Mesa
site is an exception having igneous derived soils (01).
At the Brumley Ridge site near Moab, Utah, the rainfall varies
from approximately 8-10 inches, growing at 6,400 feet elevation (06).
The cacti grow on gentle south-facing slopes, some in full sunlight
and others in shaded conditions (06).
The understory below the pinyon-juniper is usually open with
scattered shrubs -- Artemisia nova (sagebrush), Cercocarpus montanus
(mountain mahogany) and Yucca baccata (yucca). Complete and accurate
data on the population biology for this cactus is still lacking (01).
Dominant plants are Pinus edulis (pinyon pine) and Juniperus
osteosperma (Utah juniper). Other associates include Artemisia nova,
Cercocarpus montanus and Yucca baccata. Echinocereus triglochidiatus
var. inermis appears to fill a narrow niche being limited by elevation
range, edaphic factors, rainfall, and etc.
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species CACTUS, HEDGEHOG, SPINELESS
Species Id ESIS706009
Date 13 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
AUTOTROPH
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species CACTUS, HEDGEHOG, SPINELESS
Species Id ESIS706009
Date 13 MAR 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Terrestrial Features: Rock outcrops
G
G
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species CACTUS, HEDGEHOG, SPINELESS
Species Id ESIS706009
Date 13 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
HABIT:
The spineless hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus var.
inermis) is a succulent (01).
LIFE CYCLE:
Perennial (01).
TYPE OF REPRODUCTION:
Reproduction is sexual (01).
REPRODUCTIVE PHENOLOGY:
Budding occurs in early may, anthesis in late May to early June,
fruiting occurs in June, and seed/fruit dispersal is in late June
(06).
SEX OR SPORE STATUS:
Monoecious (06).
POLLINATION, SPORE AND SEED DISSEMINATION:
Pollen dissemination agents for the spineless hedgehog cactus
are bees and hummingbirds. Seed dispersal is aided by rodents (06),
ants, and water (01).
SEED BIOLOGY:
No information is known on seed biology for the spineless
hedgehog cactus.
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
No information is available.
ECOLOGICAL/EDAPHIC FACTORS:
Echinocereus triglochidiatus var. inermis grows mostly in
sandy-loam soils derived from strata of the Dakota and Burro Canyon
formations. The Grand Mesa site is an exception having igneous
derived soils (01).
At the Brumley Ridge site near Moab, Utah, the rainfall varies
from approximately 8-10 inches, growing at 6,400 feet elevation (06).
The cacti grow on gentle south-facing slopes, some in full sunlight and
others in shaded conditions (06).
TROPHIC STATUS:
Phototrophic (06).
CHARACTERISTIC DOMINANCE:
The spineless hedgehog cactus is a component species (06). The
population at Brumley Ridge is low in numbers of individuals.
COMMUNITY ECOLOGY:
Dominant plants are Pinus edulis (pinyon pine) and Juniperus
osteosperma (Utah juniper). Other associates include Artemisia nova
(sagebrush), Cercocarpus montanus (mountain mahogany) and Yucca
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species CACTUS, HEDGEHOG, SPINELESS
Species Id ESIS706009
Date 13 MAR 96
baccata (yucca). Echinocereus triglochidiatus var. inermis appears
to fill a narrow niche being limited by elevation range, edaphic
factors, rainfall, and etc.
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
No information is known for this species.
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
Known.
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CACTUS, HEDGEHOG, SPINELESS
Species Id ESIS706009
Date 13 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Agricultural Practice
Beneficial Restricting Timber Harvest
Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals
Beneficial Transplanting wild animals
Beneficial Transplanting Wild Eggs/Wild Seeds
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Noncommercial Harvest
Beneficial Regulating commercial harvest levels
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Domestic Animals
Adverse Collecting
Existing Collecting
Adverse Gas/Oil Development
Existing Gas/Oil Development
Adverse Surface Mines
Existing Surface Mines
Adverse Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Existing Soil compaction by heavy equipment in mine areas
Adverse Grazing
Existing Grazing
Adverse Harvesting
Existing Harvesting
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
The spineless hedgehog cactus has been subject to some
collecting pressure; however, it is uncertain how much specific
collecting pressure this cactus receives. Most collectors do not know
the newly discovered sites (01).
The habitat for the spineless hedgehog cactus is subject to
impacts of surface disturbances through management projects and
energy/mineral exploration (01). One population has been depleted by
tree removal operations (by heavy equipment used in chaining) (05).
Exploration for oil, gas, and uranium have impacted some of the
potential habitat. Minor impacts include woodcutting of
pinyon-juniper and trampling by livestock (01).
New roads, a secondary impact associated with the above
activities, may be the most serious threat. This will open remote
country and make cactus sites more accessible to collectors (01).
APPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1986. Spineless hedgehog Cactus
(Echinocereus triglochidiatus var. inermis) Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish
and Wildl. Serv., 19 pp.
The threat of illegal collecting of the spineless hedgehog cactus
(Echinocereus triglochidatus var. inermis) may never be completely
controlled. For this reason, the numbers of individual cacti needed
for delisting needs to be larger than for a species not subject to
collecting. To downlist the spineless hedgehog cactus to threatened,
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species CACTUS, HEDGEHOG, SPINELESS
Species Id ESIS706009
Date 13 MAR 96
20 populations unknown to collectors with an average of 2,000 plants
per population need to be found and protected. To delist it, 35
populations with an average of 2,000 plants per population need to
be found and protected. It is judged that sufficient potential
habitat may exist to support viable populations of sufficient
magnitude to ensure the spineless hedgehog cactus's survival and
recovery. A step-downed outline of recovery actions planed for this
plant follows:
1. Determine the taxonomic status of E. t. var. inermis, the spineless
hedgehog cactus, in relation to E. t. var. melanacanthus.
A. Conduct reciprocal transplants with seeds or seedlings.
B. Plant seeds from both varieties under different moisture
conditions in the greenhouse and assess any morphological
variation.
C. Compare gross morphological variation between the two
varieties using other morphological characters as well as
degree of spination.
D. Conduct reciprocal artificial hybridization experiments in
the greenhouse.
E. Conduct chromosome counts, isoenzyme analysis, floral
flavonoid comparisons, and fatty ester analysis of seeds on
a wide range of morphological forms (from spineless to
normally spined).
2. Determine population biological parameters for E. t. var. inermis.
A. Conduct demographic studies on the "spineless" populations.
B. Determine dependence of outcrossing to population density.
C. Study effects of natural herbivores.
D. Conduct a complete inventory throughout the range.
3. Remove existing and potential threats through management, land use
planning, and enforcement of existing regulations. (Problems
include trampling by grazing livestock; timber harvest for
wood products and to increase rangeland; and secondary impact
problems are damage by heavy equipment under the above projects as
well as the construction of access roads for these projects).
A. Develop a law enforcement strategy to minimize collecting
in the wild.
B. Manage surface disturbing activities to the cactus and
its habitat.
1) Perform on-the-ground searches in areas of proposed
activities within known and potential habitat.
2) Analyze the impacts of livestock grazing on the
cactus.
C. Include the spineless hedgehog cactus in land use planning
within its range such as BLM Resource Management Plans and
USFS Forest Management Plans.
D. Develop educational programs to enlist public support for
recovering the cactus.
4. Monitor populations.
5. Develop techniques to artificially propagate and transplant the
spineless hedgehog cactus.
6. Develop a comprehensive trade management plan for all cacti.
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species CACTUS, HEDGEHOG, SPINELESS
Species Id ESIS706009
Date 13 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1986. Spineless hedgehog cactus
(Echinocereus triglochidiatus var. inermis) Recovery Plan. U.S.
Fish and Wildl. Serv., Denver, CO. 19 pp.
02 Benson, L. 1982. The Cacti of the United States and Canada.
Stanford Univ. Press, Stanford, CA.
03 Johnston, B.C. October 24, 1978. [Letter to Dr. Bruce
McBryde, U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Wash., D.C.]
04 Weber, W. October 10, 1978. [Letter to Dr. Bruce McBryde, U.S.
Fish and Wildl. Serv., Wash., D.C.]
05 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1979. An illustrated guide to the
proposed threatened and endangered plant species in Colorado. U.S.
Fish and Wildl. Serv., Denver, CO.
06 Heil, K. 1986. Pers. observ. [from field work at Brumley Ridge
site], Farmington, NM 87401
07 Arp, G. 1973. Studies of the Colorado cacti V. the spineless
hedgehog. Cactus & Succulent J. XLV:132-133.
08 Kartesz, J.T., and R. Kartesz. 1980. A synonymized checklist of
the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland.
The Univ. of N.C. Press, Chapel Hill. 498 pp.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1986. Spineless hedgehog cactus
(Echinocereus triglochidiatus var. inermis) Recovery Plan. U.S.
Fish and Wildl. Serv., Denver, CO. 19 pp.
References - 1