Opuntia vaseyi
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Family: Cactaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Opuntia vaseyi is a native California shrub in the Cactaceae family, recognized by specific spine count and length pattern.
Vase's prickly pear is a California native shrub found in southern California coastal regions and adjacent zones in chaparral and disturbed areas at elevations of 275 to 500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces yellow, orange, or dull red flowers with orange-yellow filaments and a pink style. Growing as a sprawling shrub less than 1 meter tall with gray-green branches, it features distinctive segments that spread widely and are generally obovate in shape. Its stems have 0 to 4 spines per areole, with the longest spines typically 3 to 4.8 centimeters long, spreading or reflexed, and colored yellow with a white coating and brown or yellow base. The plant produces juicy, red-purple fruits with 20 to 36 areoles, creating an eye-catching display in its native habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; specific spine count and length pattern
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, disturbed areas
Elevation: 275-500 m
Bloom period
Opuntia vaseyi blooms Apr-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 vaseyi native to California?
Yes. Opuntia vaseyi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Opuntia vaseyi bloom?
Opuntia vaseyi blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Opuntia vaseyi belong to?
Opuntia vaseyi is in the Cactaceae family, genus Opuntia.
What habitat does Opuntia vaseyi grow in?
Opuntia vaseyi grows in Chaparral, disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Opuntia xcurvispina — Curved-spine Beavertail
- Opuntia basilaris — Beavertail cactus
- Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris — Beavertail
- Opuntia basilaris var. brachyclada — Short-joint beavertail
- Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei — Bakersfield cactus
- Opuntia ×charlestonensis
- Sclerocactus johnsonii — Johnson's bee-hive cactus
- Sclerocactus polyancistrus — Mojave fishhook cactus
- Sclerocactus sp. — Pineapple cactus
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.