The Beavertail Prickly Pear cactus (opuntia basilaris) is very common in the desert south west, and would go most of the year most of the year without a second glance. However this species of cactus exemplifies the best of what the desert has to offer in one symbol.
![Beavertail Prickly Pear. Photograph by James L Rathbun](https://i0.wp.com/www.destination4x4.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/20160428_124040.jpg?resize=512%2C288&ssl=1)
The Beavertail Prickly Pear grows in clumps, low to the ground and grows horizontally rather than vertically like the iconic saguaro. The dull greenish grey leaves grows feature a complete lack of spines and a shaped which gives the plant it’s name. The pads of this cactus lake the spines traditionally associated with cactus, but rather the pads are covered with minuscule, gray-blue bristles which feature barbed tips which easily puncture human skin.
Each spring the cactus puts on a display of wild flowers which is amazing to behold in the arid desert environments. Typically starting the March, each cactus pad my put out several shoots which Colosseum in a burst of colors, most commonly a vibrant pink but also known to be yellow, white or rose colored.
![Beavertail Cactus found off the Mormon Wells Road, Las Vegas, Nevada](https://i0.wp.com/www.destination4x4.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Mormon_Wells2.jpg?resize=799%2C600&ssl=1)
The cactus typically grows in rocky , sandy plains, valleys, washes & canyons all over Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah and Northern Mexico.