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Beavertail Cactus
Scientific Name: Opuntia basilaris Engelm. & Bigelow
Synonym: Opuntia longiareolata, Opuntia basilaris ssp. whitneyana, Opuntia
whitneyana, Opuntia basilaris var. whitneyana, Opuntia basilaris var.
treleasii, Opuntia treleasii, Opuntia basilaris var. ramosa, Opuntia
brachyclada ssp. humistrata, Opuntia humistrata, Opuntia basilaris var.
humistrata, Opuntia basilaris var. heilii, Opuntia brachyclada, Opuntia
basilaris var. brachyclada, Opuntia basilaris var. longiareolata
Family: Cactaceae Recommended Temperature Zone:
sunset: 8,9, 10-24
USDA: 7-10
Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 0°F (-18°C)
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Origin: Southwest USA (Arizona, California, Nevada) from 200 to 3000 feet
elevation (60 to 900 m), northwestern Mexico (northern Baja California and
northern Sonora)
Growth Habits: Succulent to 2 feet tall (60 cm), 4 feet spread (1.2 m);
green or slighly purplish segments 3.2 to 5.6 inches long (8-14 cm), 1.6 to
4 inches wide (4-10 cm), glabrous or slightly pubescent; slightly pleated
during the dry season; areoles, many with white or brown wool and brownish
glochids; occasional spine in the upper areoles, or spineless.
Watering Needs: little or no water once established, in its natural
distribution area, it receives mostly winter rains.
Propagation: Cuttings
The Beaver-tail Cactus is a smaller prickly pear cactus, and it will often
start blooming when it has only two pads. Beware that the glochids (these
little barbed bristles organized in clusters) can penetrate the skin.
In the wild, its principal range is limited to the Mojave-Colorado desert.
Blooming Habits:
The beaver tail cactus has 2.6-3 inches wide (6-7 cm), fuschia colored
flowers in March-April. The spineless fruit is dry when ripe. The seeds are
0.24 to 0.4 inch in diameter (6-10 mm)
Fruiting Habits:
The fruits can be cooked, as well as the pads. |
