Bakersfield beaver-tail cactus (Opuntia basilaris, Pacif. Railr. Rep. Whipple, Bot. 4(5; 3): 48 (1856))

Family: Cactaceae

Author: Engelm. & J.M.Bigelow

Bibliography: Pacif. Railr. Rep. Whipple, Bot. 4(5; 3): 48 (1856)

Year: 1856

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Opuntia

Vegetable: False

Observations: SW. U.S.A. to Mexico (Baja California Norte, Sonora)

Description

The Bakersfield beaver-tail cactus, scientifically known as Opuntia basilaris, is an exceptional member of the Cactaceae family. This unique plant has been formally recognized since 1856, with its botanical details meticulously cataloged by eminent botanists George Engelmann and Dr. John Milton Bigelow in the Pacific Railroad Report.

Opuntia basilaris is native to the southwestern United States and extends its range into northern Mexico, particularly in Baja California Norte and Sonora. The plant thrives in arid and semi-arid environments, where it has adapted to survive in harsh conditions with minimal water.

Characterized by its distinctive paddle-shaped pads, the Bakersfield beaver-tail cactus displays a stunning array of colors that ranges from blue-gray to purple. These pads are largely spineless, although small, hair-like glochids may be present. In the spring, the cactus produces vibrant magenta to pink flowers, which emerge from the top edges of the pads, adding a splash of color to its desert surroundings. These striking blooms are not only visually appealing but also a critical part of the desert’s ecological system, attracting pollinators such as bees and birds.

The plant’s ability to withstand extreme temperatures and prolonged droughts underscores its resilience and remarkable adaptation skills. It primarily reproduces through clonal propagation where pads detach, fall to the ground, and root to form new plants, ensuring the species can spread and sustain its population in the wild.

Beyond its ecological role, Opuntia basilaris holds cultural significance for indigenous communities, who have utilized various parts of the plant for food, medicine, and tools.

Today, this cactus remains a symbol of the resilience and beauty of the desert landscape, cherished by botanists, horticulturists, and nature enthusiasts alike.

Common Names

Eng: bakersfield beaver-tail cactus, kern beaver-tail cactus, woodbury beaver-tail cactus, beaver-tail cactus, beaver-tail prickly-pear, beavertail pricklypear, branching beaver-tail cactus, elongated beaver-tail cactus, short-joint beaver-tail cactus, beavertail prickly-pear
Spa: nopal del castor
Swe: bäveropuntia
En: Bakersfield beaver-tail cactus, Kern beaver-tail cactus, Woodbury beaver-tail cactus, Beaver-tail cactus, Beaver-tail prickly-pear, Beavertail pricklypear, Branching beaver-tail cactus, Elongated beaver-tail cactus, Short-joint beaver-tail cactus, Beavertail Prickly-pear
Es: Nopal del castor
Sv: Bäveropuntia

Synonyms

• Opuntia basilaris var. humistrata ((Griffiths) W.T.Marshall)
• Opuntia treleasei var. kernii (Griffiths & Hare)
• Opuntia basilaris var. cordata (Fobe)
• Opuntia basilaris var. albiflora (Walton)
• Opuntia whitneyana var. albiflora (E.M.Baxter)
• Opuntia basilaris var. ramosa (Parish)
• Opuntia basilaris subsp. whitneyana ((E.M.Baxter) Munz)
• Opuntia brachyclada subsp. humistrata ((Griffiths) Wiggins & C.B.Wolf)
• Opuntia basilaris var. heilii (S.L.Welsh & Neese)
• Opuntia brachyclada (Griffiths)
• Opuntia basilaris var. longiareolata ((Clover & Jotter) L.D.Benson)
• Opuntia basilaris var. brachyclada ((Griffiths) Munz)
• Opuntia basilaris subsp. brachyclada ((Griffiths) Guiggi)
• Opuntia basilaris subsp. treleasei ((J.M.Coult.) Guiggi)
• Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei ((J.M.Coult.) J.M.Coult. ex Toumey)
• Opuntia longiareolata (Clover & Jotter)
• Opuntia whitneyana (E.M.Baxter)
• Opuntia basilaris var. whitneyana ((E.M.Baxter) W.T.Marshall & T.M.Bock)
• Opuntia humistrata (Griffiths)
• Opuntia treleasei (J.M.Coult.)
• Opuntia intricata (Griffiths)

Distribution

• Arizona (native)
• California (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Nevada (native)
• Utah (native)
• Canary Is. (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Oct 27, 2022 by jeremy taylor (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2022 by Mary_T (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2020 by Fariña Fernanda (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 2, 2022 by Tycho S (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 21, 2022 by John L Green (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Oct 22, 2021 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 3, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 2, 2019 by Matt Harrington (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 22, 1992 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 22, 2018 by Luana Cavalcante Pinho Luana Cavalcante Pinho (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Oct 22, 2021 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jul 19, 2022 by Mary_T (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2020 by zarfija skoko (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 28, 2020 by Abad Ruben (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2022 by Mary_T (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2020 by Jon Splett (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 2, 2021 by John Touma (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5384070)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:136376-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Opuntia basilaris Engelm. & J.M. Bigelow)

Specifications

Growth habit: Tree, Shrub

Growth