Wildflower Wednesday: Beavertail Pricklypear brightens Park City’s dry slopes

Photo: Michelle Roepke

PARK CITY, UT — Though technically a cactus and not a wildflower, the beavertail pricklypear (Opuntia basilaris var. longiareolata) is currently in bloom across parts of Park City—and it’s hard to miss.

With vivid, violet flowers and thick, paddle-like pads, this native species adds a striking pop of color to Utah’s high-desert landscape. According to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR), this variety of pricklypear is most commonly found in the Mojave and Great Basin deserts, including select regions of Utah and Arizona.

As described by the UDWR, the beavertail pricklypear is a low-growing cactus, reaching just 10 to 30 cm in height. Its pads—technically called stems—range in color from blue-green to violet-green and are spatula-shaped, measuring up to 18 cm long. While it lacks the traditional spines seen on many cacti, the UDWR notes that it does contain small clusters of barbed hairs called glochids, which can still irritate the skin upon contact.

The flowers, according to the UDWR field guide, bloom primarily from March through April, though in higher elevations like Park City, they may linger into early summer. The blossoms measure 5 to 8 cm in length and feature purple-edged green sepals and vibrant violet petals. Even the fruits are distinctive—spineless, green when fresh, and drying to tan or gray as they mature.

The UDWR states that beavertail pricklypear prefers clay flats, canyon bottoms, and dry hillsides between 1,970 and 5,250 feet of elevation. Despite ongoing taxonomic debate over the identifying features of this specific variety—especially the so-called “elongated areoles”—the UDWR confirms its consistent presence across southern and central Utah.

So while it may not be a wildflower in the strictest sense, the beavertail pricklypear earns its place in our Wildflower Wednesday series for its bold beauty and timely blooms. It’s a reminder that even in arid soil and rugged terrain, life can take root—and flourish with brilliance.

All plant descriptions and habitat information sourced from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

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