The results of a study of Opuntia humifusa and O. phaeacantha naturalised in the Karadag Nature Reserve (southeastern part of the Crimean Peninsula) are presented. There, the largest coenopopulations of Opuntia plants are confined to the «biostation» territory (bordering with the park, administrative buildings and housing estate). Twelve localities were described in the Karadag Reserve. These differ by phytocoenotic characteristics, area and floristic composition. Seven localities include only O. humifusa plants; four ones include only O. phaeacantha individuals; and both the species are present on the twelfth locality. The total number of individuals of each species and ontogenetic structure of the population were studied in each locality. The total number of O. humifusa individuals in the Karadag Reserve is more than 600 plants within the «biostation» territory, while the total number of O. phaeacantha plants is about 400 individuals. Studying of the plant communities has been carried out according to the Braun-Blanquet method. Opuntia plants form derivate communities within degraded steppes, phryganoid-steppes, and semi-desert badland phytocoenoses almost at all studied localities. A significant number of synanthropic species (including alien plants) was found within these communities. Opuntia plants are able to self-reproduce predominantly vegetatively. Self-seeding reproduction occurs less frequently. Both species can be considered as invasive plants because they have a high adaptive capacity.

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Succulent plants are of a special interest for Russian botanical gardens’ collections, many of them are meant to be used not only in phytodesign but in pharmacy while drug manufacturing. The analysis of a species composition of the Nikitsky botanical gardens’ collection of officinal succulents is among high-priority tasks as it will highlight that advanced species for research and growth and development special aspects’ study in the introduction conditions, bioactive substances’ content in them and replenish the collection with new taxons, that are notable not only decorative characteristics but for officinal properties. The officinal succulents Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f., Aloe arborescens Mill., Sansivieria trifasciata Prain, Opuntia ficusindica  (L.) Mill., Pereskia aculeata Mill., Selenicereus grandiflorus (L.) Britton & Rose, Crassula ovata (Mill.) Druce, Kalanchoe daigremontiana Raym. Hamet & H. Perrier, with the complex of bioactive substances and a wide range of a human exposure, are exposed in the collection of the Nikitsky botanical gardens. They deserve a general pharmaceutical application while drug and cosmetic products’ manufacturing. The collection of the succulents in the Nikitsky botanical gardens was started to form in the years of 1812-1824. The total area of a new greenhouse, that was opened in 1996, is 960 square meters. The main part of the succulent collection of 985 taxons, including 87 subspecies, 38 subvarieties, 70 forms, 13 cultivars, is contained in it. Many plants are presented in the open field exposition with the total area of 1,240 square meters.