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Kranji Primary School

Plant 10 Opuntia basilaris

Discover the Beavertail Cactus, a low-growing succulent native to Southwest USA and Mexico, known for its bluish pad-like stems and spine-free areoles.

Last updated 23 June 2026

Beavertail Cactus

Opuntia basilaris

Plant Growth Form

Shrub

Native distribution

Southwest USA, Mexico

Maximum Height

0.3m to 0.6m

Description:

A round, flat, blue-green prickly pear cactus pad covered with small brown spines, outdoors.

Growth Form: Succulent with pad-like stems, usually growing up to 0.3 m tall.

Stems: Pad-like, bluish to greyish stems are covered by white to brown, wooly areoles (a small area on a cactus that produces spines, glochids, hairs, flowers or fruits). The areoles lack spines, but have small, reddish brown glochids.

Ethnobotanical Uses: None