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).

PADS: lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, becoming very elongate, often falcate, 35-120+ cm long, 8-17.5 cm broad. SPINES: absent or irregularly to regularly arranged at most distal areoles, yellow, aging blackish, 0-3 per areole, the largest 1.2-3 cm long. 2n = 66. NOTES: See also parent taxon. Widely cultivated, at times escaping; disturbed habitats, Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts, escaped in Maricopa, Pima cos.; 100-600 m (400-2000 ft); Apr-May; TX (presumed native); Mex.: Coah. This taxon is hardly more than a mutant form of var. lindheimeri. REFERENCES: Pinkava, Donald J. 2003. Cactaceae. J. Ariz. – Nev. Acad. Sci. Volume 35(2).