Opuntia basilaris

Opuntia basilaris (Beavertail Pricklypear) is a series of Opuntia.

Background
Stems low, growing in clumps, either prostrate or erect, sometimes 12 dm. high; joints broadly obovate, 8 to 20 cm. long, slightly pubescent or glabrous, usually highly colored; leaves 2 to 5 mm. long, subulate; areoles numerous, filled with white to brown wool and brownish glochids; spines none or rarely a few at upper areoles; flowers large, 6 to 8 cm. long, deep purple or sometimes white; filaments purple; fruit dry, globular to obovoid; seeds large, thick, 6 to 10 mm. broad. Type locality is from Cactus Pass down the valley of the Bill Williams River. Distribution includes northern Sonora, western Arizona, southern California, Nevada, and southern Utah.

This is a variable species as to habit, size, pubescence, and color of flowers.

The variety ramosa is more erect than the ordinary form and glabrous. It has large, handsome flowers, and is a splendid plant for outdoor cultivation where the climate is suitable, but does not live long in greenhouses. It is called beaver-tail in Arizona.

Varieties/Subspecies
O. b. basilaris

O. b. brachyclada

O. b. treleasei