Stripy Ponytail
CR

Stripy Ponytail

Beaucarnea recurvata

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaucarnea_recurvata

Overview

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

Beaucarnea recurvata faces severe population decline primarily due to overcollection for the international horticultural trade, where it is prized as an ornamental houseplant known as the ponytail palm. Wild populations in southeastern Mexico have been devastated by commercial harvesting of mature specimens, which grow extremely slowly and can take decades to reach reproductive maturity. Habitat conversion for agriculture and urban development in its native range has further fragmented remaining populations, while climate change threatens the specialized dry forest ecosystems this species depends upon.

Threat summary

Habitat

Beaucarnea recurvata is endemic to the dry forests and scrublands of southeastern Mexico, particularly in the states of Veracruz, Tamaulipas, and San Luis Potosí. It thrives in well-drained rocky soils on hillsides and canyon walls, typically at elevations between 300-1,500 meters in areas with distinct wet and dry seasons.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical moist lowland· majorArtificial - Terrestrial· majorRocky areas· major

Conservation measures underway

Resource & habitat protectionHabitat & natural process restorationSpecies recoveryEx-situ conservationLegislationLinked enterprises & livelihood alternatives

Other threatened species in ASPARAGACEAE

CR

Chlorophytum herrmannii

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Asparagus radiatus

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Prospero talosii

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Beaucarnea gracilis

Declining

Threatened in Barbados

VU

Broadstripe Goby

Elacatinus prochilos

Unknown
VU

Hildebrand's Goby

Gobiosoma hildebrandi

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Blind SnailVU

Blind Snail

Cecilioides acicula

Unknown
Scaly-naped PigeonVU

Scaly-naped Pigeon

Patagioenas squamosa

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Stripy Ponytail classified as Critically Endangered?
Stripy Ponytail 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. Beaucarnea recurvata faces severe population decline primarily due to overcollection for the international horticultural trade, where it is prized as an ornamental houseplant known as the ponytail palm. Wild populations in southeastern Mexico have been devastated by commercial harvesting of mature specimens, which grow extremely slowly and can take decades to reach reproductive maturity. Habitat conversion for agriculture and urban development in its native range has further fragmented remaining populations, while climate change threatens the specialized dry forest ecosystems this species depends upon.
Where does Stripy Ponytail live?
Stripy Ponytail occurs in Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, and Croatia (plus 23 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Stripy Ponytail?
The main threats to Stripy Ponytail are 2.1, 5.3, 5.4, and 7.2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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