Beavertail Prickly Pear
Beavertail Prickly Pear
Opuntia basilaris
Opuntia basilaris
This low-growing cactus is known for its flat, blue-green pads that resemble a beaver’s tail. Nearly spineless but still covered in tiny barbed hairs, it puts on a vibrant show in spring with bright magenta-pink blooms. Native to the Southwest, it’s tough, drought-tolerant, and a colorful standout in any desert landscape.