Cow’s tongue pricklypear

Opuntia linguiformis Griffiths, Rep. (Annual) Missouri Bot. Gard. 19: 270, plate 27 (lower). 1908; O. lindheimeri Engelmann var. linguiformis (Griffiths) L. D. Benson

Stem segments lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, becoming very elongate, often falcate, 35-120+ × 8-17.5 cm, 2+ times longer than wide. Spines 0-3 per areole, absent or irregularly to regularly arranged at most distal areoles, yellow, aging blackish, longest 12-30 mm. 2n = 66.

Flowering spring (Apr-May). Deserts; 100-600 m; Ariz., Tex.; Mexico (Coahuila).

Opuntia engelmannii var. linguiformis is widely cultivated, at times escaping and becoming established in native desert vegetation. It was questionably reported to be native in Bexar County, Texas (D. Weniger 1984).