It is
endemic to the state of
Utah in the United States, where it is limited to the
San Rafael Swell in
Emery County, Utah at elevations of 1450 to 2080 meters. There are two populations totaling about 6000 individuals. It is threatened by a number of human activities. It is a federally listed
endangered species of the United States. This cactus grows in the San Rafael Swell, a unique geologic feature in central Utah. It is an area with many rare native plants and has a high rate of endemism. The substrate is
limestone and
siltstone soil originating in the
Carmel and
Moenkopi Formations. The habitat is
grassland with some
junipers and
pinyon pines. ==Taxonomy==