“绿色钻石”？2019-2022南非至少400万株野生肉锥遭盗采｜肉锥清网行动·名家谈（73）(5)

What can we do? Many Conophytums taxa are now at real risk of extinction in the wild. Indeed, several Conophytums taxa are now probably either extinct or represented by only a handful of plants (and any residual seed in the soil in habitat, primarily due to poaching.There are now more individuals of species such as C.bachelorum in cultivation than are present in habitat. As individuals we should therefore view our collections are a valuable biological resource that needs due care, in many cases helping to preserve particular species. Organisations such as the Mesemb Study Group and the British Cactus &Succulent Society are providing some funds to assist those on the "front line”in South Africa with the maintenance of confiscated plants, aiding the establishment (where appropriate) of ex situ collections (the lack of provenance for many confiscated plants is often a problem).The annual MSG seed list is an invaluable source of material for establishing and maintaining ex situ collections (complementing formal collections in botanical gardens established with field-collected seed).Growing from seed is also the most rewarding in terms of reflecting the variability within a species and many plants are better looking when young (e.g.,C.pellucidum can get ugly when old!. Most importantly this seed list is obtained from genuine and reliable sources of material. We can also share material,whether spare seedlings or cuttings (bodies of the vast majority of Conos are readily re-rooted in the autumn months).