Opuntia basilaris var. longiareolata

(Clover & Jotter) L. D. Benson

Cacti Arizona ed. 2, 43. 1950.

Common names: Grand Canyon beavertail pricklypear
Endemic
Basionym: Opuntia longiareolata Clover & Jotter Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 68: 418, fig. 6. 1941
Synonyms: Opuntia heilii S. L. Welsh & Neese
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 4. Treatment on page 145. Mentioned on page 144.

Stem segments often decumbent, flattened apically, spatulate, (5–)9–18 × 4–11 cm; areoles 6–8(–9) per diagonal row across midstem segment, elongate to usually circular. Spines absent. Fruits spineless. 2n = 22.


Phenology: Flowering spring (Mar–Apr).
Habitat: Mojave and Great Basin deserts, clay hills, flats, canyon bottoms to bluffs
Elevation: 600-1600 m

Discussion

The elongate areoles that the specific epithet implies are not at all characteristic for Opuntia basilaris var. longiareolata and are sometimes found on plants of other varieties.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
Donald J. Pinkava +
(Clover & Jotter) L. D. Benson +
Opuntia longiareolata +
Grand Canyon beavertail pricklypear +
Ariz. +  and Utah. +
600-1600 m +
Mojave and Great Basin deserts, clay hills, flats, canyon bottoms to bluffs +
Flowering spring (Mar–Apr). +
Cacti Arizona ed. +
Opuntia heilii +
Opuntia basilaris var. longiareolata +
Opuntia basilaris +
variety +