| Common Name |
Beavertail cactus |
| Latin Name |
Opuntia basilaris |
| Native Habitat |
Among creosote scrub brush below 3,000 feet in Sonoran
and Colorado Deserts and below 6,000 feet in Joshua tree woodland in
Mojave Desert |
| Soil |
Dry, decomposed granite, sand, clay loam low in organic
content, well drained |
| Water |
None to once per month |
| Height X Width |
Maximum 4 X 4 feet, usual 1 foot X 2 feet |
| Protective Mechanism |
Short spines in dark red bumps |
| Leaves |
Evergreen |
| Garden Suitability |
Songbird, Sonoran |
| Ornamental Value |
Magenta to red flowers mid-spring and early summer, purple green fruit |
| Nature Value |
Flowers used by bees, fruits eaten by birds and mammals |
| Native American Uses |
Fruits eaten |
| Links |
|
| Images, and
data |
http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Cactaceae/Opuntia_basilaris.html |
| Nursery, images and data |
http://www.laspilitas.com/plants/1005.htm |
| Article |
http://www.desertusa.com/april96/du_beavtail.html |
| Image |
http://www.1000wordsphotos.com/desertflowers/beavertaildouble.html |
| Data |
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/59284/index.html |
| Distribution map |
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=OPBA2 |
