Opuntia basilaris (Beavertail Cactus)

Photographs

My photos:

This photo was taken in January at the Anza Borrego State Park Visitor's Center. The two photos below, showing flower buds, are from Joshua Tree in March.

More photos:

Wildflowers of So. Calif. shows a gorgeous picture of the flower.

click photo to enlarge

Plant Information

Cactaceae

In the garden:

This is a low spreading species with brilliant magenta flowers (rarely white), which occur between March and June. Flowers appear in clusters at the upper edge of the joints and often nearly cover this plant; this makes this cactus a popular ornamental for hot, dry climates. The cladophyll pad is bluish-green with cushions of very short, yellowish-brown spicules set in depressions. Stems are low and spreading, with branching at the base of their flattened joints. Once established, it will require little or no water. This plant is sensitive to cottony cochineal scales. Propagate by breaking off a joint which can be quickly rooted in dry sand.

In the wild:

Frequent on dry benches and fans below 6000 feet, in the Mojave and Colorado deserts.

Ethnobotany:

Local people eat the fruit with cooked meat; they dried the buds and ground the seeds for food.

Field Trips
Anza Borrego Caspers Holy Jim Canyon Idyllwild
Joshua Tree Mt Palomar Rancho Santa Ana Torrey Pines

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