Beavertail Pricklypear (Opuntia basilaris) is in the cacti family (Cactaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 912 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Nationally it blooms mainly from March to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Beavertail Pricklypear: observations by month (U.S.)
About Beavertail Pricklypear
Opuntia basilaris, the beavertail cactus or beavertail pricklypear, is a cactus species found in the southwest United States. It occurs mostly in the Mojave, Anza-Borrego, and Colorado Deserts, as well as in the Colorado Plateau and northwest Mexico. It is also found throughout the Grand Canyon and Colorado River region as well as into southern Utah and Nevada, and in the western Arizona regions along the Lower Colorado River Valley.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Beavertail Pricklypear by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 847 | April | Mar–May |
| Nevada | 35 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Arizona | 30 | March | Mar–Apr |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (cacti)
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Beavertail Pricklypear?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from March to May.
Where is Beavertail Pricklypear most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Nevada, Arizona.