Month: November 2023

Beavertail Cactus

https://mojavedesert.net/cactus/beavertail.html

The beavertail cactus, scientifically known as Opuntia basilaris, is a species of prickly pear cactus native to the southwestern United States and parts of northern Mexico. It gets its common name from the shape of its pads, which resemble the broad, flattened tail of a beaver. This cactus is known for its distinctive, bluish-gray, oval or paddle-shaped stems, which are typically covered in tiny, hair-like spines and glochids, which are small, hair-like prickles that can irritate the skin upon contact.

Beavertail cacti produce colorful flowers in shades of pink, magenta, or purple. These flowers often appear at the edges of the pads in the spring and early summer. The fruits of this cactus are edible and are usually red or purple when ripe.

Beavertail cacti are adapted to arid and desert environments and are well-suited to the harsh conditions of their natural habitat. They are drought-tolerant and can store water in their stems to survive periods of water scarcity. These cacti play a role in providing food and habitat for wildlife in their native regions.

In landscaping and gardening, beavertail cacti are often cultivated for their ornamental value, as their unique appearance and vibrant flowers make them attractive additions to xeriscape gardens or desert-themed landscapes. However, it’s essential to handle them with care due to their spines and glochids, which can cause skin irritation.

Like other cacti, the beavertail cactus prefers well-draining soil and requires minimal watering once established. It is important to be mindful of local regulations when collecting or cultivating beavertail cacti, as they are protected in some areas due to their ecological importance and vulnerability to overharvesting.

Mojave or Mohave?

IS WORD “MOJAVE”: J OR H?

Much confusion and argument have arisen from the two spellings of the word “Mojave.” A ruling of the Geographical Board in Washington, D.C., however, a few years ago simplified the problem somewhat. If you are in California, the name of the river, the city, and the desert should be spelled with a “j”: Mojave. If, on the other hand, you happen to be in Arizona, then you must spell the name of the county and the Indian tribe with an “h”: Mohave.

Dr. A.L. Kroeber of the University of California, a noted anthropologist, claims that only the “h” spelling should exist since the word is an Indian one, not Spanish, and was only transliterated by the early Spanish, who gave all “h” sounds a spelling of “j.” The very same problem arose with the greatest Indian tribe of Northern Arizona: should it be Navaho or Navajo?

The word Mojave (or Mohave) itself is of Indian origin and is that tribe’s name for “three mountains,” referring to three distinctive landmarks near the present city of Needles, whose name also refers to this geological oddity.

from; Desert Rat Scrapbook
Published by Harry Oliver
Fort Commander, Publisher, Distributor, Lamp Lighter, Editor, Artist, Gardener, Janitor, Owner
A paper that grows on you as you as you turn each page . . . excepting page 5

Pictures are by the author, many of them are woodcuts.

“I Did All but the Spelling.”