Grand Canyon beavertail cactus

Description:

Opuntia basilaris subsp. longiareolata (treated as a subspecies as of July 2023, formerly treated as var. longiareolata).A primarily river drainage taxon. The Lee's Ferry plants are somewhat different and less typical of this variety (pads less spathulate, more rounded), here at its northernmost extension in Arizona. It does occur in Utah in the Cataract Canyon area and deep in the river gorge and that is as far north as it occurs. Whether those plants are closer to the Lee's Ferry plants or exhibit more difference is currently unknown. This is not the same taxon as O. basilaris subsp.. heilii (formerly treated as a variety) in any event.April 6, 1997, Lee's Ferry area, Coconino County, Arizona