How are cactus protected?
All cacti, with a few exceptions mentioned below, are listed in CITES. Most are listed in CITES Appendix II, but some have greater protection and are listed in Appendix I. Under CITES, live plants and all parts, products, and derivatives, including dried cacti skeletons, are listed with a few exceptions. Exempt parts, products, and derivatives of Appendix-II and -III cacti are: (a) tissue cultures; (b) pollen; (c) seeds (other than Mexican Cactaceae seeds); and (d) cut flowers of artificially propagated plants. Also, for artificially propagated or naturalized Appendix-II cacti, the following are exempt: (a) separate stem joints (pads) and their parts, products, and derivatives of the genus Opuntia subgenus Opuntia; and (b) fruits and their parts, products, and derivatives. Some cacti also are listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA. Check the lists to determine how a specific cactus is listed. Click here for a CITES fact sheet or ESA fact sheet. Check with APHIS, the State, an
