CR

Corynopuntia reflexispina

Declining

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Corynopuntia reflexispina faces severe threats from urban development and agricultural expansion across its extremely limited range in the Sonoran Desert. The species is particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation due to its specialized soil requirements and slow growth rate. Mining activities and recreational vehicle use have directly destroyed known populations, while invasive plant species compete for the limited suitable habitat remaining.

Threat summary

Habitat

This critically endangered cactus inhabits specialized desert scrub communities on gravelly bajadas and rocky slopes in the Sonoran Desert. It requires well-drained, alkaline soils and is typically found at elevations between 300-800 meters in association with creosote bush and palo verde communities.

Desert· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Corynopuntia reflexispina classified as Critically Endangered?
Corynopuntia reflexispina is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Corynopuntia reflexispina faces severe threats from urban development and agricultural expansion across its extremely limited range in the Sonoran Desert. The species is particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation due to its specialized soil requirements and slow growth rate. Mining activities and recreational vehicle use have directly destroyed known populations, while invasive plant species compete for the limited suitable habitat remaining.
Where does Corynopuntia reflexispina live?
Corynopuntia reflexispina occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Corynopuntia reflexispina?
The main threats to Corynopuntia reflexispina are 1.1, 2.1, 2.3, and 2.4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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