Pariette cactus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pariette cactus |
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Cacteae
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S. brevispinus
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| Sclerocactus brevispinus K. D. Heil & J. M. Porter
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The Pariette cactus (Sclerocactus brevispinus) is a very rare type of cactus. You can only find it in Utah, in the United States. It grows in a specific area called the Pariette Draw, which is in Duchesne County. This special plant is protected because it faces many threats.
About the Pariette Cactus
This cactus is considered a threatened species by the United States government. This means it is at risk of becoming endangered if its situation doesn't improve. For a while, it was thought to be the same as another cactus, Sclerocactus glaucus. But in 1994, scientists realized it was a unique species.
What Does It Look Like?
The Pariette cactus is usually green and has a waxy feel. It can be shaped like an oval, a flattened ball, or a short cylinder. Each part of the cactus where spines grow, called an areole, can have up to 13 spines pointing outwards. Sometimes, it also has one to three spines in the center.
These spines can be straight, bent, or even hooked. They are often straw-colored or brownish, sometimes with hints of purple or red. The spines are quite short, usually less than half a centimeter long.
The cactus produces bell-shaped flowers that are about two to four centimeters long. The outer petals are green or pink, while the inner petals are usually pink. Inside the flower, you'll find stamens with white or pink parts and yellow tips. After the flower, a fruit grows that can be green, tan, or pinkish. It can be up to 1.5 centimeters long.
Where Does It Live?
This unique cactus grows in the clay badlands of the Pariette Draw. The soil there is very salty and alkaline. It likes to grow on hills and flat areas where sagebrush plants are also found.
Most of these cacti grow on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Some also grow on land belonging to the Ute tribe. Another rare cactus, Sclerocactus wetlandicus, which is related to the Pariette cactus, also grows in this area.
Why Is It Special?
The Pariette cactus is special because it's so rare and only found in one small area. It's important to protect its habitat. Some things that threaten this cactus include damage to its home from activities like drilling for oil and gas. Also, some people illegally take these plants from the wild, which is called poaching. It's crucial to keep this rare plant safe for the future.
