beaver tail cactus

The beavertail cactus, scientifically known as Opuntia basilaris, is a low-growing prickly pear cactus native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is characterized by its large, typically pink or red flowers.1

Cacti, in general, are succulent perennial plants belonging to the family Cactaceae. They are native to the Americas and are well-adapted to dry regions. Cacti are distinguished by areoles, which are cushionlike structures from which spines, flowers, and branches grow. In most species, leaves are absent or reduced to spines to minimize water loss, with the stem taking over photosynthetic functions. The Opuntia genus, which includes the beavertail cactus, is known for its flat, paddle-like stem segments called cladodes. These cacti readily reproduce asexually, and their paddles can easily root.23