Cow's tongue
Opuntia engelmannii subsp. lindheimeri

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A shrubby, tree like cactus. It grows 2-4 m high. The amount of spininess can vary. It usually has a trunk. It has bluish-green stem joints. These have fleshy leaves. These produce 1-6 spines in groups. The one in the centre is the biggest. The flower vary from yellow to red. The fruit are pear shaped and 3 cm across by 6 cm long. The fruit ripen to dark purple.

There are about 250 Opuntia species.

Where it is found

Some kinds can tolerate temperatures down to -12°C.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Mexico, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are made into syrup or jelly. The plant has the thorns burned off and then it is roasted in damp sand and eaten with chili.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Lengua de vaca

Synonyms

Opuntia engelmannii var. lindheimeri (Englem.) B. D. Parfitt & Pinkava; Opuntia lindheimeri Engelm.; Opuntia lindheimeri var. lehmannii L. D. Benson; Opuntia tardospina Griffiths; Opuntia linguiformis;