Opuntia basilaris var. longiareolata
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
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.