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Opuntia basilaris Engelm. & J.M. Bigelow

Beavertail cactus

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassCaryophyllidaeCacti, many other succulents, carnivorous plants, and leadworts
OrderCaryophyllalesIncludes cacti, carnations, amaranths, ice plants, and many carnivorous plants
FamilyCactaceaeSucculent (water-storing) plants, often spiny
GenusOpuntiaPrickly pears
SpeciesbasilarisBasal, stretching from the base

About plant names...

The beavertail cactus is native to the southwestern United States, and to northwestern Mexico. It is a type of prickly pear cactus.

Identification: Instead of the long spines most prickly pear cacti have, beavertails, named because the pads resemble beaver tails, usually lack spines. In their place are small, barbed bristles. Flowers are bright pink, yellow, peach, or salmon-colored.

Opuntia basilaris (beavertail cactus)

Flowering beavertail cactus, Nelson Canyon, NV. By Stan Shebs.

Online References:

Opuntia basilaris v. basilaris on Wikipedia

Opuntia basilaris v. basilaris on keiriosity.com

Opuntia basilaris (beavertail cactus)

5/3/2018 · Park Blvd., Joshua Tree National Park · ≈ 8 × 5″ (20 × 13 cm)

Opuntia basilaris (beavertail cactus)

5/3/2018 · Park Blvd., Joshua Tree National Park · ≈ 1½ × 1′ (52 × 34 cm)

Opuntia basilaris (beavertail cactus)

5/3/2018 · Park Blvd., Joshua Tree National Park · ≈ 10 × 6″ (24 × 16 cm)

Opuntia basilaris (beavertail cactus)

5/3/2018 · Park Blvd., Joshua Tree National Park · ≈ 8 × 5″ (20 × 13 cm)

Opuntia basilaris (beavertail cactus)

5/3/2018 · Park Blvd., Joshua Tree National Park · ≈ 6 × 10″ (16 × 24 cm)

Opuntia basilaris (beavertail cactus)

5/3/2018 · Park Blvd., Joshua Tree National Park · ≈ 8 × 5″ (20 × 13 cm)

Opuntia basilaris (beavertail cactus)

5/2/2018 · Indian Cove, Joshua Tree National Park, Joshua Tree, Cali­fornia · ≈ 1½ × 1′ (52 × 34 cm)

 

Opuntia basilaris description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

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Opuntia basilaris (beavertail cactus)

5/3/2018 · Park Blvd., Joshua Tree National Park

Opuntia basilaris (beavertail cactus)

5/3/2018 · Park Blvd., Joshua Tree National Park · ≈ 10 × 6″ (24 × 16 cm)

Opuntia basilaris (beavertail cactus)

5/3/2018 · Park Blvd., Joshua Tree National Park · ≈ 8 × 5″ (20 × 13 cm)

Opuntia basilaris (beavertail cactus)

4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, Cali­fornia · ≈ 10 × 6″ (24 × 16 cm)

Opuntia basilaris (beavertail cactus)

5/3/2018 · Barker Dam, Joshua Tree National Park, Cali­fornia · ≈ 10 × 6″ (24 × 16 cm)

Opuntia basilaris (beavertail cactus)

5/3/2018 · Barker Dam, Joshua Tree National Park, Cali­fornia · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)

Opuntia basilaris (beavertail cactus)

5/1/2018 · Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center, Twentynine Palms, Cali­fornia

Opuntia basilaris (beavertail cactus)

5/3/2018 · Park Blvd., Joshua Tree National Park

Opuntia basilaris (beavertail cactus)

5/3/2018 · Barker Dam, Joshua Tree National Park, Cali­fornia · ≈ 1½ × 1′ (52 × 34 cm)

Opuntia basilaris (beavertail cactus)

5/3/2018 · Park Blvd., Joshua Tree National Park · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (12 × 18 cm)

Range:

About this map...