Conservation under pressure: protected Cacti in the ornamental plant trade of central Mexico

Illegal trade is one of the main threats to the conservation of Cactaceae worldwide, particularly in Mexico, a major center of cactus diversity and endemism. The extraction of plants from wild populations to supply the ornamental market has contributed to declines in numerous species, especially those with restricted distributions. This study documented the diversity of cacti offered for sale at Mercado Madreselva, a major ornamental plant market in Xochimilco, Mexico City, and assessed their conservation status according to CITES, the IUCN Red List, and NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010. Five surveys were conducted throughout 2024, during which photographic records of all cactus species available for sale were obtained and identified using specialized taxonomic literature. A total of 44 species belonging to 22 genera were recorded. Of these, 36 species were native to Mexico, including 28 endemic species, while eight were exotic. All recorded taxa were regulated under CITES, with eight species listed in Appendix I and the remainder in Appendix II. Additionally, 24 species were included in risk categories under NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010, and 15 species were classified as threatened, vulnerable, or near threatened by the IUCN. Several species of high conservation concern, including microendemic taxa and species subject to the strictest trade restrictions, were found in commercial trade. The presence of protected and threatened species in a public market highlights ongoing challenges in the enforcement of conservation regulations. These findings emphasize the need for stronger monitoring programs, improved traceability of legally propagated plants, promotion of sustainable cultivation practices, and greater public awareness to reduce pressure on wild populations and support the long-term conservation of Mexico’s cactus diversity.