IUCN SSC Cactus and Succulent Plant Specialist Group
@iucn-ssc-cssg.bsky.social
The IUCN Cactus and Succulent Plants Specialist Group (CSSG) aims to promote the conservation of succulent plants across the globe.
We are excited to announce the publication of the Action Plan for the Integrated Conservation of the Genus Copiapoa! The full plan can be found on our website: iucn-cssg.org. Press release: tinyurl.com/25ztksby.
Conservationists joining forces in a plan to save highly threatened cacti
A new conservation plan outlines measures to support the recovery of Copiapoa cacti, a highly threatened group of plants found only in Chile’s hyper-arid Atacama Desert. This plan is the result of a c...
tinyurl.com
March 31, 2025 at 8:42 PM
We are excited to announce the publication of the Action Plan for the Integrated Conservation of the Genus Copiapoa! The full plan can be found on our website: iucn-cssg.org. Press release: tinyurl.com/25ztksby.
Peniocereus viperinus is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. It grows in Morelos, Oaxaca, and Puebla (Mexico), where it occurs in small disjunct subpopulations in tropical deciduous forests, xerophilous scrub and cardonales (cactus scrub). It is threatened by farming and ranching.
March 25, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Peniocereus viperinus is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. It grows in Morelos, Oaxaca, and Puebla (Mexico), where it occurs in small disjunct subpopulations in tropical deciduous forests, xerophilous scrub and cardonales (cactus scrub). It is threatened by farming and ranching.
Link: forms.gle/7UNRmXvmcnWt...
Sign up for this webinar taking place this Wednesday to learn more about the conservation implications of the recent case in Italy about poaching of Chilean cacti. CSSG Co-Chair Dr. Bárbara Goettsch will be participating.
Sign up for this webinar taking place this Wednesday to learn more about the conservation implications of the recent case in Italy about poaching of Chilean cacti. CSSG Co-Chair Dr. Bárbara Goettsch will be participating.
March 17, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Link: forms.gle/7UNRmXvmcnWt...
Sign up for this webinar taking place this Wednesday to learn more about the conservation implications of the recent case in Italy about poaching of Chilean cacti. CSSG Co-Chair Dr. Bárbara Goettsch will be participating.
Sign up for this webinar taking place this Wednesday to learn more about the conservation implications of the recent case in Italy about poaching of Chilean cacti. CSSG Co-Chair Dr. Bárbara Goettsch will be participating.
Welcome Eriosyce tuberculosa, a newly described species from the Atacama Region of Chile. The species was published in the latest issue of the Cactus and Succulent Journal of America. The author suggests the species is Critically Endangered. The exact locality is obscured in this description.
March 14, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Welcome Eriosyce tuberculosa, a newly described species from the Atacama Region of Chile. The species was published in the latest issue of the Cactus and Succulent Journal of America. The author suggests the species is Critically Endangered. The exact locality is obscured in this description.
Articles/artículos (BBC and The Guardian): shorturl.at/uKYKq and/y shorturl.at/AGTiq.
We are pleased that the outcome of Operation Atacama is receiving international media attention, helping us raise awareness about the illegal trade of cacti and succulents.
We are pleased that the outcome of Operation Atacama is receiving international media attention, helping us raise awareness about the illegal trade of cacti and succulents.
Operation Atacama: The $1m cactus heist that led to a smuggler's downfall
After thousands of rare Chilean cacti were found in the house of an Italian collector, a years-long trial slowly unravelled how they got there.
shorturl.at
March 10, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Articles/artículos (BBC and The Guardian): shorturl.at/uKYKq and/y shorturl.at/AGTiq.
We are pleased that the outcome of Operation Atacama is receiving international media attention, helping us raise awareness about the illegal trade of cacti and succulents.
We are pleased that the outcome of Operation Atacama is receiving international media attention, helping us raise awareness about the illegal trade of cacti and succulents.
Sclerocactus intertextus is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. It is abundant across a large range including the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it grows in grasslands and xerophilous scrub. It is not experiencing major threats.
March 7, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Sclerocactus intertextus is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. It is abundant across a large range including the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it grows in grasslands and xerophilous scrub. It is not experiencing major threats.
Oroya peruviana is classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List. This species is endemic to Peru, where it grows in meadows and on rocky slopes in puna grasslands and inter-Andean valleys. The species is threatened by urbanization, mining, fires, ranching, agriculture, and illegal collection.
March 5, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Oroya peruviana is classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List. This species is endemic to Peru, where it grows in meadows and on rocky slopes in puna grasslands and inter-Andean valleys. The species is threatened by urbanization, mining, fires, ranching, agriculture, and illegal collection.
Article: shorturl.at/HG9xJ
These wild-harvested Ariocarpus fissuratus, destined for Thailand, were confiscated by Mexican authorities. All Ariocarpus species are listed under CITES Appendix I, and this species is further protected under Mexican law (NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010).
These wild-harvested Ariocarpus fissuratus, destined for Thailand, were confiscated by Mexican authorities. All Ariocarpus species are listed under CITES Appendix I, and this species is further protected under Mexican law (NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010).
February 28, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Article: shorturl.at/HG9xJ
These wild-harvested Ariocarpus fissuratus, destined for Thailand, were confiscated by Mexican authorities. All Ariocarpus species are listed under CITES Appendix I, and this species is further protected under Mexican law (NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010).
These wild-harvested Ariocarpus fissuratus, destined for Thailand, were confiscated by Mexican authorities. All Ariocarpus species are listed under CITES Appendix I, and this species is further protected under Mexican law (NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010).
Pilosocereus vilaboensis ssp. rizzoanus grows on sandstone rock outcrops in the cerrado of Goias, Brazil. P. vilaboensis is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List: it is abundant, with no major threats known, and is found in at least one protected area.
February 25, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Pilosocereus vilaboensis ssp. rizzoanus grows on sandstone rock outcrops in the cerrado of Goias, Brazil. P. vilaboensis is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List: it is abundant, with no major threats known, and is found in at least one protected area.
Press release: shorturl.at/67kYo
The IUCN SSC CSSG is pleased to announce an important legal precedent for the conservation of cacti and succulents. An Italian court has convicted two traffickers on charges related to smuggling of over 1,000 cacti, mostly Copiapoa, from the Atacama Desert.
The IUCN SSC CSSG is pleased to announce an important legal precedent for the conservation of cacti and succulents. An Italian court has convicted two traffickers on charges related to smuggling of over 1,000 cacti, mostly Copiapoa, from the Atacama Desert.
February 12, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Press release: shorturl.at/67kYo
The IUCN SSC CSSG is pleased to announce an important legal precedent for the conservation of cacti and succulents. An Italian court has convicted two traffickers on charges related to smuggling of over 1,000 cacti, mostly Copiapoa, from the Atacama Desert.
The IUCN SSC CSSG is pleased to announce an important legal precedent for the conservation of cacti and succulents. An Italian court has convicted two traffickers on charges related to smuggling of over 1,000 cacti, mostly Copiapoa, from the Atacama Desert.
Matucana haynei is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. Four subspecies are recognized, which are distributed in three major areas in inter-Andean valleys of Peru. While some illegal collection occurs, the species is common and occurs in protected areas.
February 12, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Matucana haynei is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. Four subspecies are recognized, which are distributed in three major areas in inter-Andean valleys of Peru. While some illegal collection occurs, the species is common and occurs in protected areas.
February 7th is Reverse the Red day - a celebration of conservation work! Learn more here: www.reversethered.org/reverse-the-..., and register for webinars here: www.reversethered.org/events.
February 7, 2025 at 12:29 AM
February 7th is Reverse the Red day - a celebration of conservation work! Learn more here: www.reversethered.org/reverse-the-..., and register for webinars here: www.reversethered.org/events.
Thelocactus macdowellii is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List. This species is known from a single locality on the border of Coahuila and Nuevo León, Mexico, where it grows in xerophytic shrubland. Illegal collection is a threat, but the rate of decline is not known.
February 3, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Thelocactus macdowellii is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List. This species is known from a single locality on the border of Coahuila and Nuevo León, Mexico, where it grows in xerophytic shrubland. Illegal collection is a threat, but the rate of decline is not known.
Ferocactus uncinatus is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, as Sclerocactus uncinatus. This species has a very large range in Mexico and the American Southwest. Its populations, which grow in xerophilous scrub on limestone or calcareous soils, are scattered and not abundant.
January 31, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Ferocactus uncinatus is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, as Sclerocactus uncinatus. This species has a very large range in Mexico and the American Southwest. Its populations, which grow in xerophilous scrub on limestone or calcareous soils, are scattered and not abundant.
Articles: shorturl.at/a633u and shorturl.at/BrOKx.
New research shows that botanic gardens are reaching their capacity, challenging plant conservation efforts. Conservation progress is further hampered, unintentionally, by international agreements that have complicated collaboration.
New research shows that botanic gardens are reaching their capacity, challenging plant conservation efforts. Conservation progress is further hampered, unintentionally, by international agreements that have complicated collaboration.
January 27, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Articles: shorturl.at/a633u and shorturl.at/BrOKx.
New research shows that botanic gardens are reaching their capacity, challenging plant conservation efforts. Conservation progress is further hampered, unintentionally, by international agreements that have complicated collaboration.
New research shows that botanic gardens are reaching their capacity, challenging plant conservation efforts. Conservation progress is further hampered, unintentionally, by international agreements that have complicated collaboration.
Ferocactus haematacanthus is classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List – the only species of the genus in this category. It is endemic to the Tehuacan-Cuicatlan Valley in Puebla and Veracruz, Mexico. There are certainly less than 2,500 mature plants, with continuing declines observed.
January 24, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Ferocactus haematacanthus is classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List – the only species of the genus in this category. It is endemic to the Tehuacan-Cuicatlan Valley in Puebla and Veracruz, Mexico. There are certainly less than 2,500 mature plants, with continuing declines observed.
Article/artículo: shorturl.at/z52ul
This article in The Conversation, including CSSG member Dr. Jared Margulies, discusses the growing illegal trade of South African succulents and proposes a harm reduction approach as the best way forward.
This article in The Conversation, including CSSG member Dr. Jared Margulies, discusses the growing illegal trade of South African succulents and proposes a harm reduction approach as the best way forward.
South Africa’s rare succulent plants are threatened by illegal trade – how to stop it
Over 1 million of South Africa’s rare succulents have been illegally harvested since 2019.
shorturl.at
January 10, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Article/artículo: shorturl.at/z52ul
This article in The Conversation, including CSSG member Dr. Jared Margulies, discusses the growing illegal trade of South African succulents and proposes a harm reduction approach as the best way forward.
This article in The Conversation, including CSSG member Dr. Jared Margulies, discusses the growing illegal trade of South African succulents and proposes a harm reduction approach as the best way forward.
Photo: @myriopteris
Illegal collection is not the only threat faced by cacti and succulents. Habitat destruction results in the indiscrimate removal of large numbers of plants. Without plants, erosion often follows, and nurse plants are unavailable for the reestablishment of new cacti.
Illegal collection is not the only threat faced by cacti and succulents. Habitat destruction results in the indiscrimate removal of large numbers of plants. Without plants, erosion often follows, and nurse plants are unavailable for the reestablishment of new cacti.
January 8, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Photo: @myriopteris
Illegal collection is not the only threat faced by cacti and succulents. Habitat destruction results in the indiscrimate removal of large numbers of plants. Without plants, erosion often follows, and nurse plants are unavailable for the reestablishment of new cacti.
Illegal collection is not the only threat faced by cacti and succulents. Habitat destruction results in the indiscrimate removal of large numbers of plants. Without plants, erosion often follows, and nurse plants are unavailable for the reestablishment of new cacti.
Segment: shorturl.at/iY7sV - The World
Check out this interview with CSSG member Dr. Jared Margulies about the illegal trade of cacti and succulents.
Echa un vistazo a esta entrevista con Dr. Jared Margulies, miembro del CSSG, sobre el comercio ilegal de cactus y suculentas.
Check out this interview with CSSG member Dr. Jared Margulies about the illegal trade of cacti and succulents.
Echa un vistazo a esta entrevista con Dr. Jared Margulies, miembro del CSSG, sobre el comercio ilegal de cactus y suculentas.
International succulent theft grows as illegal trade - The World from PRX
Succulents are wildly popular among plant enthusiasts. So much so that theft of the plants has actually become a massive illegal trade across the globe. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Jared Margulies...
shorturl.at
January 3, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Segment: shorturl.at/iY7sV - The World
Check out this interview with CSSG member Dr. Jared Margulies about the illegal trade of cacti and succulents.
Echa un vistazo a esta entrevista con Dr. Jared Margulies, miembro del CSSG, sobre el comercio ilegal de cactus y suculentas.
Check out this interview with CSSG member Dr. Jared Margulies about the illegal trade of cacti and succulents.
Echa un vistazo a esta entrevista con Dr. Jared Margulies, miembro del CSSG, sobre el comercio ilegal de cactus y suculentas.
Article/artículo: shorturl.at/v5PPz - BBC
The poaching crisis in South Africa has already led to the extinction of several species of succulents, with 1.6 million plants seized in South Africa between 2019 and 2024.
The poaching crisis in South Africa has already led to the extinction of several species of succulents, with 1.6 million plants seized in South Africa between 2019 and 2024.
South Africa's succulent plants under threat from poachers in the Karoo
A biodiversity hotspot has become the stomping ground of poachers.
shorturl.at
December 30, 2024 at 7:18 PM
Article/artículo: shorturl.at/v5PPz - BBC
The poaching crisis in South Africa has already led to the extinction of several species of succulents, with 1.6 million plants seized in South Africa between 2019 and 2024.
The poaching crisis in South Africa has already led to the extinction of several species of succulents, with 1.6 million plants seized in South Africa between 2019 and 2024.
Article: shorturl.at/R3Dlk - Antofagasta TV
The Chilean government has convicted an Italian national of trafficking of Chilean cacti.
The Chilean government has convicted an Italian national of trafficking of Chilean cacti.
December 27, 2024 at 8:26 PM
Article: shorturl.at/R3Dlk - Antofagasta TV
The Chilean government has convicted an Italian national of trafficking of Chilean cacti.
The Chilean government has convicted an Italian national of trafficking of Chilean cacti.
Our warmest greetings during this holiday season!
¡Nuestros más cálidos saludos durante estas fiestas!
¡Nuestros más cálidos saludos durante estas fiestas!
December 24, 2024 at 7:02 PM
Our warmest greetings during this holiday season!
¡Nuestros más cálidos saludos durante estas fiestas!
¡Nuestros más cálidos saludos durante estas fiestas!