Botanical Name: Opuntia basilaris
Common Name: Beavertail cactus Type of Plant: Dicot: succulent Habit of Growth: Overall Shape a very distinctive prickly-pear cactus, with pale lavender obovate to round fleshy modified stems; forms a low open mound with age Height 1 - 2ft Spread equal or more Growth Rate slow Environment: Exposure full sun preferred; tolerates some shade if grown in container Soil thrives in sandy soils; tolerates heavier if watered only seldom Hardiness hardy (zones 11-13, 18-24): prefers warm dry inland habitats Morphology: Leaves absent - the flattened “stem joints” (“pads”) are photosynthetic; pads are pale lavender, flattened, oval - obovate; 8 - 12" long x 5 - 8" wide; are spineless but have numerous deciduous little glochids at the nodes (areoles) Flowers bright rose-lavender, solitary, many-petaled and many-stamened, 3" across; borne on upper edge of the upright pads; April - June Fruit somewhat fleshy berry, 1 - 2" long; greenish tan when ripe (fall) Propagation: seed; pads are slow to root compared to many other prickly pear cacti Usage: a very distinctive small accent shrub for its unusual-colored fleshy pads, showy flower display in late spring, and low open clumping form; best in desert, Mediterranean or dry-woodland theme gardens; excellent container plant Landscape Care: Watering little required after establishment; twice a month when grown in a container - once a month if planted Fertilizing none required except of grown in container Pruning not required Pests/Diseases relatively free - may get scale/mealybug if grown in shade Special Conditions/Other avoid frequent watering if plant grown in heavier soils Origin: low-elevation hillsides of southwestern United States deserts (California/Arizona) Family: Cactaceae Notes: |
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