Growth Habits: This is one of the few Opuntias that will stay at a reasonable size, usually attaining about 2 feet tall (60 cm), with a 4 feet spread (1.2 m). The pads (cladodes) are purplish to violet, 3.2 to 5.6 inches long (8-14 cm), 1.6 to 4 inches wide (4-10 cm), glabrous [Smooth, without hairs or excrescences] or slightly pubescent [Covered with fine, minute hairs.]. They can wrinkle or shrivel a little if they are kept on the dry side. The areoles have white or brown wool and brownish glochids. There may be the odd spine in the new pads, but in the main the plant is spineless.
Scientific name: Opuntia basilaris
Common names: Beavertail cactus.
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
Etymology: The generic name Opuntia refers to a Greek name used by Pliny for a diverse plant which grew in the region of the town of Opus in Greece. [Basilaris] Derives from the Latin basilis which means “basal” and the suffix "-aris". (The specific name implies: "from the base").
Origin: Southwest USA (Arizona, California, Nevada) from 200 to 3000 feet elevation (60 to 900 m), north western Mexico.
Light: This plant will take all the sunlight you can give it and then ask for some more.
Compost: A good, well drained compost is ideal for this beauty. Not too rich in nutrients, although the occasional feed is beneficial and will promote flowering.
Water: Most literature will tell you that the plant can survive with very little water. That does not mean that it does not like the occasional drench now and again, but never leave it saturated.
Flower: The beaver tail cactus has 2.6-3 inches wide (6-7 cm), fuschia coloured flowers in March-April
Fruit: . The spineless fruit is dry when ripe. The seeds are 0.24 to 0.4 inch in diameter (6-10 mm)
Min. temp: Again books will tell you that it is hardy to 0°F (-18°C), but if you prefer your plants as unmarked as possible (don’t we all) I would certainly keep it up around the 40-45°f. In England and many places around Europe the humidity in winter is high and would probably kill the plant at a low temperature. However if you are lucky enough to live in a climate similar, or the same as the plants native habitat, 0°F (-18°C) should not harm the plant in any way.
Cultivation: As with most of the Opuntia family this plant is not too difficult to grow. Getting it to stop is the hard part if you are pushed for room.
Habitat: The area in which the plant can be found is a vast area od the south west United States and the landscape is obviously very diverse. It can vary in height from approximately 900ft. to almost 8,000 ft. The ground itself can be anything from almost pure sand through to fertile soil, rich in nutrients.
Comments: Unlike many Opuntia, this plant will sometimes start to flower when it only has a couple of pads. Another plus is that the plant is almost spineless, although the glochids can be even worse if you do not handle it with care. If you do want to take some cuttings etc. if you spray the plant with water before doing so this help to stop the glochids from transferring themselves from the plant to you. By the way the plant is mine and it is the beautiful colour that shows in the photograph. I have not enhanced the picture in any way.