Opuntia Species, Prickly Pear Cactus, Beavertail Cactus, Beavertail Pricklypear
Opuntiabasilaris

<h1>Opuntia Species, Prickly Pear Cactus, Beavertail Cactus, Beavertail Pricklypear<br><i>Opuntia</i><i>basilaris</i></h1>

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                            <b>Family: Cactaceae</b>
                                    (kak-TAY-see-ee)<br>
                                                        <b>Genus: <i>Opuntia</i></b>
                                    (op-UN-shee-a)<br>
                                        
                            <b>Species: <i>basilaris</i></b>
                                    (bas-il-LAIR-iss)<br>
                            
            
                        
                        
                        
                            <P><b>Synonym:<i>Opuntia brachyclada</i></b><br>
            
                            <P><b>Synonym:<i>Opuntia whitneyana</i></b><br>
                        
                            <P><b>Synonym:<i>Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris</i></b><br>
                        
                            <P><b>Synonym:<i>Opuntia basilaris var. brachyclada</i></b><br>
                        
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                                                        <P><B>Category</B></P>
                                                                        Alpines and Rock Gardens<BR>
                                                                                                Groundcovers<BR>
                                                                                                Perennials<BR>
                                                                                                Cactus and Succulents<BR>
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                                                        <P><B>Water Requirements</B></P>
                                                                        Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping<BR>
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                                                        <P><B>Sun Exposure</B></P>
                                                                        Full Sun<BR>
                                                                                                Sun to Partial Shade<BR>
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                                                        <P><B>Foliage</B></P>
                                                                        Grown for foliage<BR>
                                                                                                Provides Winter Interest<BR>
                                                                                                Unknown
                                                                <BR>
                                                        <P><B>Foliage Color</B></P>
                                                                        Unknown
                                                                <BR>
                                                        <P><B>Height</B></P>
                                                                        6-12 in. (15-30 cm)<BR>
                                                                                                12-18 in. (30-45 cm)<BR>
                                                                                                18-24 in. (45-60 cm)<BR>
                                                                                                24-36 in. (60-90 cm)<BR>
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                                                        <P><B>Spacing</B></P>
                                                                        3-6 in. (7-15 cm)<BR>
                                                                                                6-9 in. (15-22 cm)<BR>
                                                                <BR>
                                                        <P><B>Hardiness</B></P>
                                                                        USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)<BR>
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                                                                                            <P><B>Where to Grow</B></P>
                                                                        Can be grown as an annual<BR>
                                                                <BR>
                                                                                                    <P><B>Danger</B></P>
                                                                        Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling<BR>
                                                                <BR>
                                                                                                    <P><B>Bloom Color</B></P>
                                                                        Rose/Mauve<BR>
                                                                                                Magenta (pink-purple)<BR>
                                                                <BR>
                                                                                                    <P><B>Bloom Characteristics</B></P>
                                                                        Unknown
                                                                <BR>
                                                                                                    <P><B>Bloom Size</B></P>
                                                                        Unknown
                                                                <BR>
                                                                                                    <P><B>Bloom Time</B></P>
                                                                        Mid Spring<BR>
                                                                                                Late Spring/Early Summer<BR>
                                                                <BR>
                                                                                                    <P><B>Other details</B></P>
                                                                        Unknown
                                                                <BR>
                                                                                                    <P><B>Soil pH requirements</B></P>
                                                                        6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)<BR>
                                                                                                6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)<BR>
                                                                                                7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)<BR>
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                                                                                                    <P><B>Patent Information</B></P>
                                                                        Non-patented<BR>
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                                                                                                    <P><B>Propagation Methods</B></P>
                                                                        From woody stem cuttings<BR>
                                                                                                From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse<BR>
                                                                                                From seed; direct sow after last frost<BR>
                                                                <BR>
                                                                                                    <P><B>Seed Collecting</B></P>
                                                                        Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds<BR>
                                                                                                Unblemished fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds<BR>
                                                                                                Wear gloves to protect hands when handling seeds<BR>
                                                                                                Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored<BR>
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