Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei
Bakersfield cactus
Photo: parent species Opuntia basilaris · (c) paulexcoff, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Cactaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei (Bakersfield cactus) is a native California shrub in the Cactaceae family, recognized by spines distinguish from other beavertail varieties.
Bakersfield cactus is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native shrub found in the southern San Joaquin Valley in Kern County grasslands at elevations of 120 to 150 meters. Flowering from March to April, this cactus produces pale yellow flowers with pale yellow spines less than 11 millimeters long. Growing with flat, generally obovate stem segments 9 to 20 centimeters long and 5 to 7.5 centimeters wide, it features spreading yellow spines 7 to 26 millimeters long. Its areoles have 2 to 8 spines that spread generally straight across the cactus surface. This distinctive prickly shrub is adapted to the dry grassland environments of central California.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; spines distinguish from other beavertail varieties
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland
Elevation: 120-150 m
California counties: Kern, Los Angeles
Bloom period
Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei blooms Mar-Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
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. treleasei native to California?
Yes. Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei bloom?
Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei blooms Mar-Apr.
Where in California does Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei grow?
Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei occurs in Kern, Los Angeles, at elevations of 120-150 m.
What plant family does Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei belong to?
Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei is in the Cactaceae family, genus Opuntia.
Is Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei rare or endangered?
Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.