| Dragon Fruit | |
| Hylocereus undatus | |
| a.k.a. Pitahaya, Strawberry Pear |
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Round, often red colored fruit with prominent scales. The thin rind encloses the large mass of sweetly flavored white or red pulp and small black seeds. Some varieties are pinkish or yellow.
Description: A vining, terrestrial or epiphytic cactus, with fleshy stems reaching
from a few inches up to 20ft long (in mature plants). The plant may
grow out of, and over the ground or climb onto trees using aerial
roots. Flowers
are ornate and beautiful, and many related species are propagated
as ornamentals. They bloom only at night, and usually last just one
night where pollination is necessary to set fruit. In full production,
pitahaya plants can have up to 4-6 fruiting cycles per year.
Hardiness: Will tolerate temperatures to 104F, and short periods of
frost, but prolonged cold will damage or kill the plant.
Growing Environment: Dragon Fruit grows best in dry, tropical or subtropical climates where
annual rainfall ranges from 20-50" per year. In wet, tropical
zones, plants may grow well but sometimes have problems setting fruit
reliably. The plants
aren't usually too picky as to soil type, but because of their epiphytic
nature, it is recommended to grow them in soil that is supplemented
with high amounts of organic material. The plant has been grown successfully
in sandy soils. Shade is sometimes provided in hot climates.
Propagation: By seed, or by stem cuttings.
Uses: The fruit is popular eaten chilled, out of hand. It is also used to flavor drinks and pastries. Unopened flowerbuds are cooked and eaten as vegetables.
Native Range: The exact origin is unknown, but is likely from Southern Mexico through Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador and Costa Rica. It is cultivated around the world in tropical regions.
More pictures of the Dragon Fruit (click to enlarge)
