Beavertail cactus
Of petals and prickles
Both the tree-felling rodent's literal tail and the classic Canadian dessert are typically seen some distance from the desert growing grounds of the beavertail cactus. While beavers do live in the Southwest, they tend to stick close to rivers and wetlands, while the beavertail prefers dry substrates of sand or gravel. As for sweet treats, this succulent has a couple to offer: Its bright magenta blossoms beckon pollinators and petal-sniffers alike, and as a member of the prickly pear family, it even produces edible fruit. Just watch out for the 'tails' themselves—while they usually lack thorns, they're covered in tiny, bristly bundles called glochids that can poke the skin just as painfully.
Of petals and prickles
Both the tree-felling rodent's literal tail and the classic Canadian dessert are typically seen some distance from the desert growing grounds of the beavertail cactus. While beavers do live in the Southwest, they tend to stick close to rivers and wetlands, while the beavertail prefers dry substrates of sand or gravel. As for sweet treats, this succulent has a couple to offer: Its bright magenta blossoms beckon pollinators and petal-sniffers alike, and as a member of the prickly pear family, it even produces edible fruit. Just watch out for the 'tails' themselves—while they usually lack thorns, they're covered in tiny, bristly bundles called glochids that can poke the skin just as painfully.
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