Opuntia basilaris
Beavertail cactus
(c) paulexcoff, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Cactaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Opuntia basilaris (Beavertail cactus) is a native California shrub in the Cactaceae family, recognized by . Distinctive spineless flat pads.
Beavertail cactus is a California native shrub found in desert regions of southwestern California, growing in arid landscapes at elevations across desert and lower mountain zones. Flowering from April to May, this cactus produces striking pink-magenta flowers with deep magenta-red filaments, creating brilliant color against its blue-green segments. Growing with sprawling to ascending branches 7 to 40 centimeters tall, the plant forms dense, low-spreading clusters with minimal spines. Its thick, fleshy segments are green to bluish-green, covered in fine papillate hairs and featuring numerous tiny glochids instead of prominent spines. The fruit develops 2 to 4 centimeters long, initially green and purple, gradually becoming tan as it matures.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated. Distinctive spineless flat pads
Habitat and range
California counties: Imperial, San Bernardino, Kern, Riverside, Los Angeles, Tulare, Inyo, San Diego
How to tell it apart
vs Cylindropuntia: Opuntia has flat paddle segments; Cylindropuntia has cylindrical stems with papery spine sheaths.; vs Echinocereus: Opuntia has flat pads; Echinocereus has cylindrical stems that branch into clusters.; vs Euphorbia: Opuntia has true spines from areoles on fleshy pads; Euphorbia has milky sap and no areoles.; vs Austrocylindropuntia: Opuntia has broad flat pads; Austrocylindropuntia has pencil-thin cylindrical stems.; vs Cephalocereus: Opuntia has flat jointed pads; Cephalocereus has tall unbranched columns with woolly hair.
Frequently asked questions
Is Opuntia basilaris native to California?
Yes. Opuntia basilaris is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Opuntia basilaris grow?
Opuntia basilaris occurs in Imperial, San Bernardino, Kern, Riverside, Los Angeles, Tulare, Inyo, San Diego.
What plant family does Opuntia basilaris belong to?
Opuntia basilaris is in the Cactaceae family, genus Opuntia.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.