Opuntia basilaris

[Weiser]

I grow several forms and varieties of O. basilaris. The beavertail cactus is native to the Mojave and Sonoran deserts to about to 6,000 feet. The blue-gray 10inch long pads are shaped like a beaver's tail. Dense clusters of brown glochids are it's main defence.the flowers are hot pink/magenta. The fruits are dry and pearshaped. Mature clumps can get to be two foot tall and three to four foot across.
 

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=OPBA2
http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-taxon=Opuntia+basilaris
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242413847


Here are a couple of patches of Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris I have.

[DesertZone]

[RickR]

Gee, now I see what all the hub-bub was all about when O. basilaris is discussed on
the Too Cold for Cactus group.

  Quite a beautiful species! 

[Weiser]

Aaron
I don't know what to say but WOW!!
I wish I had your space to work with!!

Gee, now I see what all the hub-bub was all about when O. basilaris is discussed on
the Too Cold for Cactus group.

Rick
I have posted to that forum to.

[DesertZone]

Thanks for the nice words.
Another from the LaMar garden (plantasiacactus gardens).  It is the hardiest, bluest, and best flowering ones I have.

I have one more that will grow here, but freezes back every winter.  Greener more tear drop pads.  So far the only two that will live through the winters here, and I have tried a few.

John I wish you had as much space as I have to garden with.  I can only imagine what you could do with a few acres.  

[Hoy]

Another beautiful cactus! -and I lack both land and climate
No possibility to acquire more land, John?

[Weiser]

You can always buy land but you have to purchase the house too and the economy is not stable out here. Besides the fact that once you move out side the city limits you are in wild fire country. Just ask Aaron how it feels to see a wild fire rushing toward your property.

[Weiser]

Here are a couple if forms of O. basilaris variety basilaris, were the pad shapes and size do not fit into to the standards set for the species.

This first form at one time held varietal standing but has been reintegrated back into variety basilaris. This was, in the past, known as Opuntia basilaris var. ramosa. The plant grows as a dwarfed forum about 1/3 the size of variety basilaris. The flowers , fruit, seed, and growth habit are the same . It would work well for the grower with very limited space.  

                                          

                                          

This second form is both dwarfed and the pads come out heart shaped. Again the pads are about 1/3 the size of the standard variety basilaris. In all other respects it is the same as variety basilaris.

                                        

                                        

                                        

[DesertZone]

O.basilaris var ramosa
I belive I have some like this also.  Very small, same flowers, hardy and dont seem to grow as fast.

[DesertZone]

You can always buy land but you have to purchase the house too and the economy is not stable out here. Besides the fact that once you move out side the city limits you are in wild fire country. Just ask Aaron how it feels to see a wild fire rushing toward your property.

One nice thing about the city, weeds are much easier to control.    and fires dont spread at 20 miles an hour.

 

[Hoy]

You can always buy land but you have to purchase the house too and the economy is not stable out here. Besides the fact that once you move out side the city limits you are in wild fire country. Just ask Aaron how it feels to see a wild fire rushing toward your property.

One nice thing about the city, weeds are much easier to control.    and fires dont spread at 20 miles an hour.

Well, wildfire is never a problem where I live although it is some places in Norway. I am very glad I don't have to reckon with that!
I like all the forms of O. basilaris. Are they easy from seed?

[Martin Tversted]

O basilaris is one of the easiest opuntioids to germinate. Just heat and water, sunshine and no standing air. But in our climate in Scandinavia humidity is the big challenge and they cannot grow outside at all. Inside the unheated greenhouse in terra cotta pots they do fine. Grown in well drained mineral soil and only water in sunshine betwin late april and end september.

Here are some of those I have had my hands in:
http://www.northern-nursery.com/Opuntia/Opuntia%20basilaris.htm

I had one of the dwarf forms flowering this summer. Will upload pictures soon. these are in surplus next year...

Martin

[Hoy]

O basilaris is one of the easiest opuntioids to germinate. Just heat and water, sunshine and no standing air. But in our climate in Scandinavia humidity is the big challenge and they cannot grow outside at all. Inside the unheated greenhouse in terra cotta pots they do fine. Grown in well drained mineral soil and only water in sunshine betwin late april and end september.

Here are some of those I have had my hands in:
http://www.northern-nursery.com/Opuntia/Opuntia%20basilaris.htm

I had one of the dwarf forms flowering this summer. Will upload pictures soon. these are in surplus next year...

Martin

I am first in the queue!

[Weiser]

Great photos Martin!! You always have good ones on your websight!
http://www.northern-nursery.com/

Here are the last two varieties of O. basilaris I grow.  O basilaris var. heilii. (syn.- var. longiareolata) and  var. brachyclada.

Var. heilii is a fairly new variety and there appears to be some contraversy as to whether is should have varietal standing or stand as separate species in it's own right.
The variety was described in 1983, and is endemic to southern Utah. It is found in only three counties Emery, Garfield and Wayne Cos.
It is listed as a synonym under O. basilaris var. longiareolata in the Flora of North America.
In my opinion it should be recognized at the species level.  Its growth habit is different than O. basilaris. It only grows in a very isolated, remote area at higher elevations, and withstanding  and survives in very cold weather. Its pads epidermal surface appears to be smoother and doesn't have the velvety texture found in " O. basilaris. The shape, color, and thickness of the pads are different. The the protruding shape of the areoles is different, and the areoles are spread out and fewer in number.

http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242415217






The next variety is Opuntia basilaris var. brachyclada. Var. brachyclada has low stature, seldom getting above 40cm (16 in) in height. Stem segments (pads) are typically 5-13 cm (2-5 in) long and 2-5 cm (0.75- 2 in) wide, sometimes slightly flat but generally cylindric to club-shaped. This species is  spineless  but has abundant glochids. Flowers are a bright pink to magenta.

http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=5928
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=OPBAB
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242415218

[Martin Tversted]

Trond, its brachyclada I have a breeding group of, I can send you a few pads ins pring if you have a greenhouse. They wont do any good outside.

Martin