Prickly Pear: perennial, forms low, spreading clumps of flattened, fleshy stems called pads.

• A. Russian Thistle
• B. Showy Milkweed
• C. Prickly Pear
• D. Larkspur

Answer: (C)

Identifying a plant by growth form and stem type helps you distinguish species in rangeland work. Prickly Pear is a perennial cactus that stays low to the ground and forms spreading clumps. Its key feature is flat, fleshy stems called pads, which store water and allow the plant to spread across the ground. Those pads are the telltale sign that points to prickly pear.

The other plants described have different growth habits and do not have flat pads. Russian Thistle is an annual weed that forms a tumbleweed habit; Showy Milkweed is a herbaceous plant with typical stems and flowers, not flattened pads; Larkspur is a flowering plant with tall stems and does not feature cactus pads. So the description fits prickly pear best.