Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris
Beavertail
Photo: parent species Opuntia basilaris · (c) paulexcoff, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Cactaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris (Beavertail) is a native California shrub in the Cactaceae family, recognized by spineless condition and fuzzy segments diagnostic.
Beavertail is a California native shrub found in southern Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi, San Gabriel, San Bernardino Mountains, eastern Peninsular Ranges, southern Sierra Nevada Eastern Slope, and Desert regions in habitats ranging from desert to pinyon and juniper woodland at elevations of 150 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces pale pink to magenta flowers with distinctive paddle-shaped segments. Growing as a low-spreading succulent shrub 20 to 40 centimeters tall with flat, nearly obovate stem segments 8 to 21 centimeters long. Its thick, fleshy segments are spineless, creating a smooth blue-green surface typical of cactus species. In desert environments, beavertail forms dense, low-growing clusters that provide critical habitat and water storage in arid landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; spineless condition and fuzzy segments diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Desert to pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 150-2200 m (higher n)
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, San Diego, Riverside, Kern, Los Angeles, Imperial, Mono, Tulare, Ventura, Sacramento
Outside California: to Utah, Arizona, Mexico
Bloom period
Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris blooms Mar-Jun.
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 var. basilaris native to California?
Yes. Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris bloom?
Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris grow?
Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, San Diego, Riverside, Kern, Los Angeles, Imperial, Mono and other counties, at elevations of 150-2200 m (higher n).
What plant family does Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris belong to?
Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris is in the Cactaceae family, genus Opuntia.
What habitat does Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris grow in?
Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris grows in Desert to pinyon/juniper woodland.
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.