Opuntia species provide some of the earliest and most spectacular examples of invasive plants in dry environments and the effectiveness I of insects as biological control agents. Sixty species have become naturalized, and at least 15 are considered major weeds. Opuntia (prickly pear) a genus of about 90 species native to North and South America, has been distributed globally over the past two centuries.

Opuntia (Cactaceae)Д¬acti are prized as ornamentals for their novel form, spectacular flowers, edible parts, and medicinal uses. Lee, in Encyclopedia of Biodiversity, 2001 II.F. It is worth mentioning that this activity is not practiced by the local communities, but rather, it is carried through international trafficking in plants, an activity that has already been reported. It is very common to see offers to sell these plants on internet websites on the internet, even though the trade of all parts is prohibited. buiningii individuals, may have been the result of intense collection practiced decades ago. Evidence shows that the reduction in the number of U. Collection involves the removal of the entire individual, directly contributing to gaps in the demographics of the speciesвЂ™ population. Unfortunately, predatory collection continues, being stimulated by an international network that ignores international treaties. All Uebelmannia species are included in CITES Appendix I ( CITES, 2019), restricting their international trade. The illegal collection of cacti to supply collectors has increased their risk of extinction and encouraged the inclusion of the whole family in the CITES Annexes. Suelma Ribeiro-Silva, Hellen Rocha ManГЄte, in Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences, 2021 OvercollectingД¬actus species are intensively commercialized worldwide.

Types of cactus