Opuntia basilaris var. longiareolata

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.

Flowering spring (Mar-Apr). Mojave and Great Basin deserts, clay hills, flats, canyon bottoms to bluffs; 600-1600 m; Ariz., Utah.

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.

PADS: often decumbent, spatulate, flattened apically, (5-)9-18 cm long, 4-11 cm broad. AREOLES: 6-8(-9) in a diagonal row across midpad, elongate to mostly circular. SPINES: absent. FRUITS: spineless. 2n = 22. NOTES: See also parent taxon. Mojave and Great Basin deserts, along canyon bottoms to bluffs; Coconino, Mohave cos.; 600-1600 m (1900-5200 ft); Mar-Apr; UT. REFERENCES: Pinkava, Donald J. Cactaceae. 2003. J. Ariz. - Nev. Acad. Sci. Volume 35(2).