- August 19, 2025
Five-Year Status Review Recommends Delisting of Lloyd’s Mariposa Cactus
Big win for tiny plant found only in southwestern Texas and eastern/central Mexico
AUSTIN, Texas – Lloyd’s mariposa cactus shows signs of full recovery after a rigorous five-year status review, part of the process mandated by the Endangered Species Act. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s review recommends to the Secretary of the Interior removal of the cactus from federal protections under the ESA due to recovery. This finding is based on the best available scientific and commercial information and reflects ongoing conservation efforts and improved scientific data on the species. A five-year review does not automatically change a species’ protections or status; it only presents recommendations.
The range of Lloyd’s mariposa cactus is in Brewster County, Texas, and Coahuila, Mexico, at an elevation of about 2,100 to 3,800 feet. The Service listed the cactus as a threatened species in 1979, with commercial harvesting causing the biggest threat to its survival. The Service has determined that threats to the species have been eliminated or sufficiently reduced to the point that the species no longer meets the definition of a threatened or endangered species under the ESA.
Progress toward recovering Lloyd’s mariposa cactus has been made through close partnerships with local governments, state and federal agencies, private organizations as well as the federal government of Mexico. In addition, the degree of threat is now known to be less than when the cactus was listed. Several large populations have recently been documented at protected sites, including Big Bend National Park, Black Gap Wildlife Management Area, and Big Bend Ranch State Park. The species has also been documented at the Area de Protección de Flora y Fauna (Flora and Fauna Protection Area; APFF) Ocampo and APFF Cuatro Ciénegas in the Mexican State of Coahuila. These conservation areas on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border will continue to conserve these populations and their habitats. In addition, recent scientific data indicate the species is more abundant than previously known at the time of listing.
Lloyd’s mariposa cactus thrives in full sun within the open desert scrublands, and sweat bees likely pollinate its white to pink flowers. The plant is covered with white to gray spines; its stems form a globe-like shape that reaches up to 4 inches (10.1 cm) in height by 2.4 inches (6.1 cm) in diameter.
The Service conducts five-year status reviews of listed species to ensure that classifications under the ESA are current and, where appropriate, may recommend changes in status. The reviews are based on the best available scientific and commercial data and involve contributions from scientific experts, including an independent peer and technical review by federal, state, and local partners as well as academic researchers.
The Lloyd’s mariposa cactus is still currently listed as a threatened species and may be removed from the ESA list in the future through a transparent rulemaking process, which would include public review and comment. The five-year status review for the species can be found online and more information about the species is on the Service’s website.