Opuntia basilaris
Beavertail Prickly Pear
Description
About 1' high by 4' across. Pads are blue-grey, sometimes with a bit of purple. New pads form on lower areas of the plant. Flowers are intensely rose purple from spring to early summer. Native in AZ, UT, NV, CA and Sonora Mexico to Baja Mexico. Needs full sun. Drought resistant. Needs good drainage.
Plant Type
Succulent, Cactus
Height Range
Under 1', 1-3'
Flower Color
Pink
Flower Season
Spring, Summer
Leaf Color
Blue Green, Grey Green
Bark Color
n/a
Fruit Color
Blue, Green
Fruit Season
Summer, Fall
Sun
Full, Half
Water
Very Low, Low
Growth Rate
Slow
Soil Type
Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular
Soil Condition
Average, Poor, Well-drained
Soil pH
Neutral, Basic
Adverse Factors
Attracts Bees, Thorns/Spines
Design Styles
Ranch, Spanish, Wild Garden
Accenting Features
Showy Flowers, Unusual Shape
Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer
Location Uses
Parking Strip, Patio, Raised Planter, Walkways, With Rocks
Special Uses
Container, Mass Planting, Fire Resistant, Naturalizing
Attracts Wildlife
n/a
Water Saving Tip:
Change spray sprinklers to low-flow bubbler or drip systems. Shrubs and trees are ideal candidates for this type of irrigation because the water is applied directly to the root zones.