Beavertail Prickly Pear
Opuntia basilaris
Latin Name
Opuntia basilaris
Common Name
Beavertail Prickly Pear
Native Distribution
Lower Elevations of the Sonoran & Mojave Deserts
Size: Typically 2 ’h x 4’w; may spread up to 6’
Flower: Bright fuchsia flowers from March - June, followed in summer by red to purple fruit
Pads: Fleshy, plump blue-gray, about 4” wide x 6” long, resemble beaver tails; turn to light purple in winter.
Site Preferences: Full sun; tolerates reflected heat; plant in well-drained soil; supplemental irrigation not required once established; well-drained soil is a must
Landscape Uses: Perfect for residential landscapes due to its small size; associates well with desert marigold; golden barrels and any desert shrub with dark green foliage
Plant Characteristics
Moderate growth rate
No large spines, but plenty of glochids
Easy to propagate
Spreading habit
Short & “bushy” with plump pads
Drought tolerant
Hardy to 15F
Control spread by selective pad removal