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Opuntia mesacantha Raf. ssp. lata (Small)Majure
Southeastern Pricklypear
Devil's-tongue
Synonym(s): Opuntia humifusa
Florida native
This pricklypear cactus is found in much of Florida. The range extends through the southeastern coastal states from Mississippi just into North Carolina.
Forming clumps or mats that are decumbent, trailing or weakly ascending to only 50cm (20 in.) tall. The pads of subspecies lata have scalloped margins and the spines are delicate, only 0.7-0.9mm (~1/32 in.) in diameter.
Opuntia mesacantha is a member of the Cactaceae - Cactus family.
Other species of the Opuntia genus in the Wild Florida Photo database:
Opuntia austrina - DEVIL'S-TONGUE
Opuntia cochenillifera - COCHINEAL CACTUS
Opuntia drummondii - COCKSPUR PRICKLYPEAR
Opuntia mesacantha var. mesacantha - LONGSPINE EASTERN PRICKLYPEAR
Opuntia stricta - ERECT PRICKLYPEAR
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants (Institute for Systemic Botany) profile for this species
iNaturalist profile for this species
USDA Plant Profile for this species
Date record last modified: Aug 07, 2025
