Opuntia basilaris var. ramosa Parish; O. whitneyana E. M. Baxter

Stem segments erect, flattened, obovate, 7-22(-35) × 6.5-13.5(-16) cm; areoles (8-)10-16(-19) per diagonal row across midstem segment, circular. Spines absent or very rarely 1-few very short spines per stem segment. Fruits spineless. 2n = 22.

Flowering late winter-spring (Feb-Jun). Chaparral, woodlands, desert flats, hills, sandy to rocky soils; 300-1700 m; Ariz., Calif., Nev., Utah; n Mexico.