Diminutive Colorado cactus removed from endangered list

Context: The plant had been listed since 1979 due to over-collection by cactus growers and mining activity near areas where the plant was concentrated, according to a statement from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

• The BLM, the Colorado Natural Heritage Program, the Denver Botanic Gardens and the University of Northern Colorado are all credited with helping the recovery effort.

Between the lines: Native to the state and found in Gunnison River basins and tributary canyons in Western Colorado, the little cactus can be identified by its pink flowers, which blossom in the spring.

• It grows between 1 and 5 inches tall, per the BLM.

By the numbers: Roughly 72% of the Colorado hookless cacti grow on public land managed by the BLM.

What's next: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says it will continue monitoring the plant to ensure its long-term stability