Magenta Flowers of Beavertail Prickly Pear Cactus

Photo by Pat Thoms

The Beavertail (Prickly Pear) Cactus develops bright magenta blooms from March to May on the ends of the greyish-green pads.  These turn into fruit eaten by ancient Native Americans and now, more commonly, pack rats.  The "glochids," or hair-like spines, detach easily, and when lodged in the skin, have hooks that make them difficult to remove.  I recommend not relying on cactus for your water or food source.