Beavertail Cactus (Opuntia basilaris): Spineless Pink-Flowered Prickly Pear

Overview

Beavertail Cactus (Opuntia basilaris) is a low, clumping prickly pear native to the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts. Its distinctive pads are flattened, blue-gray to purple, and notably spineless (though they have tiny, barbed glochids). In spring, it puts on a spectacular show with vivid magenta-pink to rose flowers that cover the pads. The fruit is dry and spiny. Drought-deciduous in extreme heat, it's a superb choice for rock gardens, dry slopes, and native plantings. Very cold hardy.

Key Features

• Pads: Flat, obovate, blue-gray to purple; spineless but glochids present.
• Flowers: Brilliant magenta-pink to rose, 2–3 in; spring.
• Habit: Low, spreading clumps; 6–12 in tall, 3–4 ft wide.
• Fruit: Dry, spiny, brown.

Care Guidelines

Light

Full sun.

Water

None once established. Winter rain sufficient.

Soil

Extremely well-drained, gritty, mineral soil.

Hardiness

USDA zones 5–10. Very cold tolerant.

Taxonomy

Family:	Cactaceae
Genus:	Opuntia (op-UN-shee-a)
Species:	basilaris (bas-il-LAIR-iss)
Synonym:	Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris