Could it be Opuntia linguiformis? We need Texas Mara here. It sure looks like a cow tongue.

Yeppers, that it tis. Opuntia lindheiemri var linguiformis. It is indigenous to the south central Texas area of the Edwards Plateau. There are not many in the wild. I know of one that is naturally there , I THINK.

Now some people say it is Opuntia engelmani var linguformis because some do not recognize O. linguiformis to be its own species but part of O englemani family. The guys who think they are in charge of the naming game are dividing up that cluster, so it really matters who you talk to and when they had there last in depth perusal into the science. Me, I know squat. I just read about the hubbub and see all the conflicting info. As it stands most of this family that grows east of the Pecos river is O lindhemeri. Basically this cactus is a subset of O. Lindheimerii and some people say that is a subset of O. englemani. O. lindheimeri is characterized by yellow tannish translucent needles where as the O. englemani ( many variations of that one too) have white opaque mat needles. some are without needles or almost. Then I get lost.

Any who opuntia Identification is a hair puller at the best of times. I am not that good at it. When they start counting needles and which way they go in the ariole and how many and what configuration, my head starts to swim. I am still trying to Identify what is on my land. Then if they sprout in the woods they look totally different. I am feeling dizzy just thinking about it.

Signing out "Texas" Mara

Here is a link that might be useful: Opuntiad of USA site