Beavertail cactus says Happy Easter!

My beavertail cactus (Opuntia basilaris) has been regaling us with a succession of flowers all week. The petals are almost diaphanous, with a lovely silky sheen and a deep magenta color.

Move over daffodils, this my official Easter flower!

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The beavertail cactus (Opuntia basilaris) is native to the western and southwestern United States. Since it has virtually no spines it’s one of the more user-friendly cacti, but watch out for those glochids, the small but dense bundles of bristles that dot the sides of the pads. They detach easily and just as easily penetrate your skin. The quickest way to remove them, in my experience, is with packing tape.

Comments

  1. [swoons] Beautiful!! That is one VERY happy cactus. Best Official Easter Flower yet. No flowers on my opuntias so far. Lotta buds, though. This week they're predictng rain [crosses fingers], snow to 5000 ft and a couple nights of temps in the high 30s F here in SoCal -- we'll see how that affects everything...

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    1. I've been spo excited all day because the weather forecast called for rain. Well, we got 20 minutes of drizzle. I don't think it even registered in the rain gauge. Very disappointed :-(.

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  2. Beautiful, beautiful flowers, the foliage also. The flowers shine like 70's era Polyester, but in a good way.

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    1. I can't get over how paper thin these flowers are, yet shiny like the best-quality silk. This Opuntia basilaris has been in the same pot for years (it's a shallow azalea-type pot, too!), and yet it seems quite happy. Gotta love how undemanding many cacti are!

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  3. Wow! I love how it stays compact and yet gives you big beautiful flowers. On my list.

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    1. I clearly does well in a pot.

      I like it even when it's not in bloom. I think it's blue-gray coloration is very attractive.

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  4. It is gorgeous, the perfect Easter flower!

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    1. I'm thrilled it has so many flowers this year! I've been watering it once a week for the past month.

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  5. It is beautiful!!!! wish I could purchase it in Spain. Great choice for your Easter flower. Happy Easter!!

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    1. The next time you're in California you've got to take home a pad or two. They re-root easily.

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