Opuntia Species, Prickly Pear Cactus, Beavertail Cactus, Beavertail Pricklypear (Opuntia basilaris)


On the Eastern edge of Death Valley, sometime back in the late 80's. Death Valley plants are said to be O. basilaris var. basilaris.

growing in San Diego Wild Animal park's native garden, Escondido California

Aqua colored. Purchased from eBay in California. This is one of the varieties, haven't figured out which one yet.

This is one of the varieties, haven't figured out which one yet.

most of the leaves on this plant are heart shaped... this common? So California

Huntington Gardens plant, southern California


This hardy blue-grey colored cactus sometimes tinged with red or purple in cold weather.

my own plant flowering in April

april flower southern California

This is the bright pink bloom. This first bloom was in mid April.

Growing happily in the Mojave!


new growths seen in spring, southern California, following at least 6 months of no obvious growth whatsoever.



summer view of spring slug damage on new pads, southern California- this seems to be the only Opuntia the slugs like

Near Pahrump, Nevada

Beavertail Cactus in Death Valley, California, USA, July 1998

Los Angeles cactus and succulent show 2007 monstrose plant

Opuntia basilaris (Beavertail Prickley Pear)

Opuntia basilaris (Beavertail Prickley Pear)

beavertail cactus used as a primary decorative outside Lost City Museum, Overton NV

New growth in May


In type location in San Gabriel Mts., CA

In my garden

monstrose form, Los Angeles cactus show

southern California


flower bud formation in southern California end of winter




April, in Huntington Gardens, California


At the Desert Botanical Gardens, zone 9b. Photo originally added to the PlantFiles on September 6, 2004

At the Desert Botanical Gardens, zone 9b. Photo originally added to the PlantFiles on September 6, 2004

Blooming in late March, mid spring, zone 9a/9b at the Desert Botanical Gardens, Arizona. Photo originally added to the PlantFiles on June 17, 2005

Blooming in late March, mid spring, zone 9a/9b at the Desert Botanical Gardens, Arizona. Photo originally added to the PlantFiles on June 17, 2005

Mid April, Springtime, zone 9a/9b at the Desert Botanical Gardens. Photo originally added to the PlantFiles on July 28, 2005

Growing in a Phoenix landscape zone 9b. Photo originally added to the PlantFiles on August 9, 2006

This is a more Aqua-colored clone of Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris added to my garden about 2 years ago. Photo originally added to the PlantFiles on September 19, 2006

The bloom of the more Aqua-colored clone of Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris added to my garden about 2 years ago. Photo originally added to the PlantFiles on September 19, 2006

El Camino Del Diablo Trail (Devils' Highway) that runs between Ajo and Wellton in AZ through the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. Mid Nov, early Winter, zone 9b. Photo added 12-10-06

Photo courtesy of Damon. In a Phoenix landscape, zone 9b.

Early April in SoCal

O. basilaris seeds


On the north side of the Harquahala Mountains Wilderness in AZ. March 12, 2011. Early spring. Zone 9a

On the north side of the Harquahala Mountains Wilderness in AZ. March 12, 2011. Early spring. Zone 9a

On the north side of the Harquahala Mountains Wilderness in AZ. March 12, 2011. Early spring. Zone 9a

Opuntia basilaris, western edge of Death Valley, mid-1980s


Basilaris cactus with salvia greggii and dorrii in Boise Idaho

Near the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge on the Colorado River. Copyright of Jan Emming. Photo courtesy of Jan Emming of Destination:Forever Ranch and Gardens, a 40 acre desert botanical garden and sustainable living homestead in the Arizona desert with a nursery.

Near the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge on the Colorado River. Copyright of Jan Emming. Photo courtesy of Jan Emming of Destination:Forever Ranch and Gardens, a 40 acre desert botanical garden and sustainable living homestead in the Arizona desert with a nursery.


Unusually lighter colr pink. Arizona. Copyright of Jan Emming. Photo courtesy of Jan Emming of Destination:Forever Ranch and Gardens, a 40 acre desert botanical garden and sustainable living homestead in the Arizona desert with a nursery.

Arizona. Copyright of Jan Emming. Photo courtesy of Jan Emming of Destination:Forever Ranch and Gardens, a 40 acre desert botanical garden and sustainable living homestead in the Arizona desert with a nursery.

Arizona. Copyright of Jan Emming. Photo courtesy of Jan Emming of Destination:Forever Ranch and Gardens, a 40 acre desert botanical garden and sustainable living homestead in the Arizona desert with a nursery.

Arizona. Copyright of Jan Emming. Photo courtesy of Jan Emming of Destination:Forever Ranch and Gardens, a 40 acre desert botanical garden and sustainable living homestead in the Arizona desert with a nursery.

Photo courtesy and copyright of Matthew Maggio. Curator of Succulents at Sherman Library and Gardens and owner of Rain Shadow Designs. http://www.homeimprovementquotes.com/pros/rain-shadow-designs

Photo courtesy of; copyright of Jan Emming of Destination:Forever Ranch and Gardens, a 40 acre desert botanical garden/sustainable living homestead in Arizona.

Harcuvar Mountains. Photo courtesy of; copyright of Jan Emming of Destination:Forever Ranch and Gardens, a 40 acre desert botanical garden/sustainable living homestead in Arizona.

Photo courtesy of; copyright of Jan Emming of Destination:Forever Ranch and Gardens, a 40 acre desert botanical garden/sustainable living homestead in Arizona.

Photo courtesy of Jeremy Spath, the owner of Spath Gardens, for landscape design and installation in Southern California. Copyright of Jeremy Spath. http://spathgardens.com/

Anza Borrego. Photo courtesy/copyright of Matthew Maggio. Curator of Succulents, Sherman Library/Gardens.Owner of Rain Shadow

Anza Borrego. Photo courtesy/copyright of Matthew Maggio. Curator of Succulents, Sherman Library/Gardens.Owner of Rain Shadow
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About
Opuntia Species, Prickly Pear Cactus, Beavertail Cactus, Beavertail Pricklypear
Opuntia basilaris
Type: | Alpines and Rock Gardens, Groundcovers, Perennials, Cactus and Succulents |
Height: | 6-36 in. | 15-90 cm |
Conditions: | Zone 8-10, Full Sun, Sun to Partial Shade |