Are Black Lace Cactus Plants Endangered?.
On One Hand: It Is EndangeredThe United States declared the black lace cactus endangered in 1979, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife. Currently, it is only found in three habitats of Texas, all of which are on private property. The species is endangered because of habitat destruction, cattle grazing and over-collection from enthusiastic cactus lovers.On the Other: Preservation EffortsWhile the species is endangered, there are efforts underway to increase population. Texas’s Nature Conservancy has contacted the families that own the black lace cactus habitats to encourage them to protect the species. One family has joined the Conservancy’s Land Steward Society in an effort to preserve the cactus. The San Antonio Botanical Garden also has a test population.Bottom LineThe black lace cactus is a colorful ornamental cactus with large purple flowers and lacy stems. Over-collecting and habitat destruction have reduced the cacti population to just three plots of private property. However, t
