Dispersal of Opuntia humifusa (Cactaceae) in the continental part of Ukraine

Abstract

The localities of Opuntia humifusa (Cactaceae) in the continental part of Ukraine are described. All previous findings reported in Ukraine were made in the territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, where the species sometimes behaves as a transformer and is threatening Crimea's natural phytodiversity. The first locality in continental Ukraine was discovered near Smila (Cherkasy Region) in a ruderal habitat; observations were conducted since 2015, the species increased the size of its population due to vegetative reproduction. The second locality was discovered in 2020 in Holosiivskyi National Nature Park (Kyiv), in a pine forest on a hill. There are also several localities, information about which is published in social networks and databases. Information of the range of the species is analyzed. Given the current understanding of taxonomy of the species, some records of its finds in Ukraine and in the world may belong to O. humifusa s. str. and, in some cases, to other species of the O. humifusa group. It is emphasized that O. humifusa can be expected in new localities. The species needs further monitoring of its distribution, especially in view of current climate changes that may promote its further spread.

Keywords

• alien species
• climate
• ergasiophytes
• invasive plants
• new record
• opuntia humifusa
• ukraine