Ariocarpi are the pinnacle of cactus cultivation.  Plants belonging to the Ariocarpus genus are amongst the rarest in the world.  Poaching and illegal trade have caused the genus to become endangered in habitat.  Consequently, the plant has been included in the CITES Appendix 1 and specimens may no longer be exported outside the Americas. 

Species populations vary depending on location.  The genus is indigenous to Mexico and may be found in various states, including San Louis Potosi, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, as well as various mountain ranges in Texas and Coahuila.

Based on Anderson's (1997) most recent revision of the genus, Ariocarpi are classified in the following species:

• Agavoides
• Bravoanus ssp Bravoanus
• Bravoanus ssp Hintonii
• Confusus
• Fissuratus
• Kotschoubeyanus
• Retusus ssp Retusus
• Retusus ssp Trigonus
• Scaphirostris