CRCritically Endangered

Mammillaria pennispinosa

Declining

Overview

Mammillaria pennispinosa is a species of cactus. It is endemic to Mexico, where it is known only from a single location in Durango. Its total population is fewer than 1250 individuals. They grow on volcanic rock in desert habitat.

Mammillaria pennispinosa faces severe population decline due to illegal collection for the international cactus trade, where its distinctive feathery spines make it highly sought after by collectors. Habitat destruction from urban expansion and agricultural conversion in its limited range around Guanajuato, Mexico, has further fragmented the remaining populations. Mining activities and limestone quarrying in the region pose additional threats to the specialized rocky habitats this species requires.
Threat summary

Habitat

This species is endemic to limestone hills and rocky outcrops in the semi-arid regions of Guanajuato, Mexico, where it grows in crevices and on steep slopes with well-drained soils. It typically occurs in xerophytic scrubland vegetation at elevations between 1,800-2,200 meters.

Desert· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionLegislationCompliance and enforcement

Other threatened species in CACTACEAE

Threatened in Mexico

Arachnothryx tacanensis

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Mammillaria pennispinosa classified as Critically Endangered?

Mammillaria pennispinosa 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. Mammillaria pennispinosa faces severe population decline due to illegal collection for the international cactus trade, where its distinctive feathery spines make it highly sought after by collectors. Habitat destruction from urban expansion and agricultural conversion in its limited range around Guanajuato, Mexico, has further fragmented the remaining populations. Mining activities and limestone quarrying in the region pose additional threats to the specialized rocky habitats this species requires.

Where does Mammillaria pennispinosa live?

Mammillaria pennispinosa occurs in Mexico. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.

What are the main threats to Mammillaria pennispinosa?

The main threats to Mammillaria pennispinosa are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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