Mesa Verde Cactus
This slow-growing cactus is also known by its Navajo name, Whoosh Diikozih Yahzi
About This Species
The Mesa Verde cactus is a small, ball-shaped cactus endemic to the Four Corners region. Though generally less than 3 inches tall, these cacti can live for at least 20 years. Even within their specific habitat, they are only very sparsely found (usually only a single plant per 100 square feet). During periods of drought, cactus stems retract into the soil. This species was federally listed as threatened in 1979. In 2003, a drought followed by an insect outbreak led to severe population declines.
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Physical Characteristics
This small cactus is shaped like a slightly squished sphere of up to 4.5 inches tall. Their stems are pale green or gray green. Some other cactus species grow more than one stem, but the Mesa Verde cactus usually grows only one.
Cacti have bump-like structures called tubercles, and spines grow on these structures in different patterns. The cone-shaped tubercles of the Mesa Verde cactus are topped with 8 to 10 radial spines (spines that stick out to the side in a star-like pattern) and no central spine (a spine that sticks straight out). From April to May, cream-to-yellow flowers appear at the top of the plant, followed by green fruits that mature to tan.
Range
The Mesa Verde cactus is found only in the Four Corners region of Colorado and New Mexico, with the vast majority of its population occurring on the sovereign lands of the Navajo Nation and the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation. In Colorado, it is only found within 32 square miles in Montezuma County. This species' elevation range is 5,045 to 5,844 feet.
Habitat
The Mesa Verde cactus grows only on alkaline soils, particularly on dry hillslopes and hilltops in adobe clay badlands.
Other plant species found in these habitats include mat saltbush (Atriplex corrugata), shadscale (Atriplex confertifolia), frankenia (Frankenia jamesii) and prickly pear cactus (Opuntia polyacantha).
Threats to Species
As with many rare cactus species, illegal collecting represents a significant threat to these populations. The Mesa Verde cactus is also impacted by herbivory from longhorn beetle larvae. Energy development, off-highway vehicle use, trampling by livestock and climate change may also threaten these plants.