Beavertail prickly pear
Opuntia basilaris

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A bush cactus. It grows about 1 m high. The joints are almost oval. They are bluish-green or pale red-green. They are 10-20 cm long. They have a velvety appearance. The spine spots are brownish. The have barbed bristles and one short spine. It flowers in the daytime. The flowers are reddish-purple. They are 6-8 cm long.

There are about 250 Opuntia species. It is used in medicine.

Where it is found

A subtropical plant. It needs a bright sunny position. It grows in dry conditions between 150-2,200 m above sea level. It needs a temperature above 7°C. It grows in alkaline soil. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Central America, Indonesia, Mexico, North America, SE Asia, USA (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The unripe fruit are boiled or baked. The ripe fruit are eaten raw or dried and made into syrup and jam. Young pads are sliced and used in stews and other dishes. Flowers and flower buds are cooked and eaten.

Edible parts

Stems, flowers, fruit, flower buds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Branching beavertail cactus, Elongated bevertail cactus, Kaktus pir ngarai besar, Kern bevertail cactus, Short-joint bevertail cactus, Trelease bevertail cactus, Trelease's bevertail prickly pear, Woodbury bevertail cactus, Beavertail cactus, Cholla cactus, Rose tuna, Prickly pear, Bakersfield beavertail cactus

Synonyms

Opuntia basilaris var. ramosa Parish; Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei (J. M. Coutler) J. M. Coulter ex Tourney; Opuntia brachyclada Griffiths; Opuntia basilaris var. brachyclada (Griffiths) Munz; Opuntia basiliaris var. whitneyana (E. M. Baxter) Munz; Opuntia basilaris var. longiareolata (Clover & Jotter) L. D. Benson; Opuntia basilaris var. heilii S.L. Welsh & Neese; Opuntia basilaris var. humistrata (Griffiths) W. T. Marshall; Opuntia humistrata Griffiths; Opuntia longiareolata Clover & Jotter; Opuntia treleasei J. M. Coulter; Opuntia whitneyana E. M. Baxter;