Bakersfield Cactus

Bakersfield Cactus:

COMMON NAME: Bakersfield Cactus

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Opuntia basilaris treleasei

DESCRIPTION:

There are many species with the common name of "beavertail" or "prickly-pear". Each has flat blue-green pads that resemble a beaver’s tail. Bakersfield cactus has a combination of spines and glochids (tiny hair-like spines) on its areoles. Generally only growing 1 foot tall, a clump may spread to several feet across. Bright magenta flowers bloom March –June; the fruit is red and spineless at maturity. Many birds feast upon the fruits, as well as, tortoise and ground squirrels that spread the seeds in their droppings.

Bakersfield cactus is native to the sandy soils of low hills, mostly in grassland areas, 400 -1,000 feet northeast, east and southeast of Bakersfield and in the Pacific Grassland, Mojave Desert, Turtle Mountains and San Bernardino County.

Bakersfield Cactus Pad:

Cultivation: It is easy to propagate Opuntia species. Break off a pad at the joint. Allow it dry for about a week to form a callus and then plant it. The soil should be loose; water lightly every other week to encourage root growth. If you need to "prune" a clump, use tongs or rolled newspaper to grasp the pads (gloves are useless). Cut with a saw or pruners.

Early uses: The young fruit was broken off with a stick. The fine short spines were rubbed off with grass or twigs. They were cooked in a stone-lined pit for 12 hours to dry for long term storage. When desired, the dried fruits were boiled and eaten with salt. The pulp of the older (larger) pads was scraped out and used as a dressing on wounds. It was said to deaden the pain and promote healing.

 
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