Opuntia Species, Prickly Pear Cactus, Beavertail Cactus

Opuntiabasilaris var. albiflorus

Family
Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee)
Genus
Opuntia (op-UN-shee-a)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Spacing
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Mid Spring
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From woody stem cuttings
Allow cut surface to callous over before planting
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting
Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds
Unblemished fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Livermore, California

Las Cruces, New Mexico

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Gardener's Notes:

1
positive
1
neutral
0
negative
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B
Livermore, CA (Zone 9a) | October 2010 | positive

Opuntia basilaris var. albiflorus should not be accepted as such, having a white flower appears only randomly (a few plants here and ther...Read More

X
Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9b) | September 2004 | neutral

What sets this variety apart from the root species is it has white flowers.

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Featured
European Sow Bug
(Oniscus asellus)
Allen’s Hummingbird
(Selasphorus sasin)