A pitaya or pitahaya is the fruit of several different cactus species indigenous to the americas. Pitaya news newspapers books scholar jstor february 2019 learn how and when to remove this template message. Cactus species stenocereus queretaroensis seedspitaya. Current facts dragon fruit, also known as pitaya or pitahaya, is a member of the cactus family, and is botanically found in two separate genera. Exotic pitahaya cactus live plant tropical plantae. When blended with other ingredients, the deep red color becomes a vibrant pink. Its a climbing cactus and needs support for growing.
The name alone is mysterious and intriguing, and its appearance does not disappoint. Some preliminary evidence shows that prickly pear cactus can decrease blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Mexicos incredible trees, plants and flowers and where to. Pitaya fruit mix sold by exotic cactus edible fruits hylocereus undatus cactus succulent seed 100 seeds. Faintly sweet with a floral aroma, theyre very refreshing and one of the best ways to finish a meal or cleanse your palate between bites of rich foods. Pitaya, dragon fruit hylocereus undatus and other species and hybrids fig. Mexico isnt all about the tacos and the tequila, there are also some awesome plants, flowers and trees to be found in this sprawling and biodiverse country.
I finally tasted one at mercado san juan last week. The word cactus derives, through latin, from the ancient greek, kaktos, a name originally used by theophrastus for a spiny plant whose identity is now not certain. White dragon fruit live 3 cutting pitahaya cactus propagation plant edible cacti. Recently in mexico, this cactus has been the target of commercial attention due. Pitaya stenocereus thurberi pitaya is a fruit that grows on the organ pipe cactus in mexico and in the southwest region of the united states. Dragon fruit benefits, nutrition facts and how to eat dr.
They are xerophytes, specializing in hot, dry climates. These fruits are commonly known as dragon fruit cf. Book on dragon fruit, thanh long, grow your own pitahaya. The tohono oodham and pima people collected pitaya fruits from the tops of the organ pipe cactus. It is even omitted in the sunset western gardening book. Whichever name you use, dragon fruit or pitaya, youre referring to the same fruit, a fruit that grows on a cactus. Selffruiting variety, red outside and red inside the most delicious variety.
Pitaya fruit, pitahaya fruit or commonly known as the dragon fruit is among the most nutritious and wonderful exotic fruits. Pitaya cactus fruit was a favorite food for native americans. Pitaya are fastgrowing, perennial, terrestrial, epiphytic, vinelike cacti. Its also touted for its antiviral and antiinflammatory properties. Some farmers in southeast asia grow pitaya as a secondary crop on live betel palm. It is a favorite to many, particularly people of asian origin. Cactus species stenocereus queretaroensis is a fruiting cactus that is tree like reaching 1620 ft. The magenta flesh is sweeter than the white version, and it also has a little more nutrition, so thats what im using in this smoothie recipe. Interesting facts about pitaya or dragon fruit just fun. Books about cactus and succulents information and details.
The newly revised pitahaya a promising new fruit crop for southern california is a 46page book printed on quality paper. Nutritional value, health benefits and calorie count. Plant them in an area of your garden where water doesnt tend to pool. Pitaya aka dragon fruit hylocereus undatus youtube. Suncore foods premium pink pitaya supercolor powder, 5oz each 1 pack natural red dragon fruit food coloring powder, plant based, vegan, gluten free, nongmo 4. That saguaro cactus was probably well over 200 years old. Pitaya is a collective name that is used for the more well known dragon fruit and lesser known fruit from the organ pipe type cacti stenocereus spp. See more ideas about dragon fruit cactus, dragon fruit plant and dragon fruit tree. If you get a lot of rainfall in your area, plant the dragon fruit plant on. Pitaya looks like a work of art with its highly unique appearance that is highly distinctive. It is also grown in asian nations like vietnam, thailand. Convenient easy to use fruit cubes are perfect for making delicious pitaya bowls, smoothies, cocktails, desserts and much more. Stenocereus queretaroensis has a central trunk followed by many upturned branches, producing a candelabralike shape.
If youre interested in food gardening then this easy to care for mexican born, asian raised, rebel of a plant will be the heavy metal rocker in your quaint garden especially at flowering time. See more ideas about pitaya, species, organ pipe cactus. Both the juicy white flesh and the tiny black seeds distributed across the flesh of the dragon fruit are edible and nutritious. In latin america, this member of the cactus family is also known as pitahaya blanca. Chinese huo long guo fire dragon fruit and long zhu guo, dragon pearl fruit, vietnamese thanh long meaning sweet dragon, indonesian and malaysian buah naga, dragon fruit, lao mark. If there are no flowers on dragon fruit cactus or your pitaya wont bloom, it may because youre treating this tropical plant like a desert cactus. A pitaya or pitahaya is the fruit of several cactus species, most importantly of the genus hylocereus sweet pitayas. Take a look below for 24 more interesting and fascinating facts about dragon fruit.
The exotic looking fruits typically weigh a little under 1 pound each, and they have a texture like kiwi. Pitaya problems may be environmental, or the result of dragon fruit pests and diseases. Cacti are members of the plant family cactaceae, in the order caryophyllales cacti are native to the americas, ranging from patagonia in the south to parts of western canada in the northexcept for rhipsalis baccifera, which also grows in africa and sri lanka. The flowers are unique, and one among the largest in the world with a diameter of 25 cm and is about 30 cm long. It is commonly known as a dragon fruit, strawberry pear, or nanettikafruit. Strawberry pear from julia mortons book fruits of warm climates pitaya. Pitaya is a fastreturn fruit crop with production in the second year after planting and full production in 5 years. Hylocereus undatus grafting stock pereskiopsis cactus. The names pitahaya and pitaya comes from mexico, and pitaya roja in central america and northern south america, possibly relating to pitahaya for names of tall cacti species with flowering fruit. The dragon fruit is somewhere between a kiwifruit and a watermelon in texture, but with a much more subtle flavor than either. A weak trellis may buckle under the weight of a mature pitaya plant. Dragon fruit, or pitaya in spanish, is a rapid growing, perennial vinelike cacti that thrives in dry tropical climates. Grown in california, central and south america, and southeast asia, pitaya is the fruit of a cactus plant.
According to the national park service, the tallest saguaro that we know about was 78 feet tall. Even given the most ideal conditions, however, issues with pitaya plants may still plague the gardener. Pitahaya definition, any of several cacti of the genus lemaireocereus and related genera, of the southwestern u. The pitaya fruit was an important food source for native americans in baja and southern california. They are light feeders that dont need a lot of nutrient love. Also called dragon pearl fruit, cactus fruits, pitahaya or pitaya, dragon fruit is a tropical and delicious superfood that can do a lot for your health. Dragon fruit is an edible exotic fruit that grows on certain species of cactus plants. For forest cactus, fertilize during the growing season with a standard fertilizer. This tree straight from a magical story book has its leaves protruding downwards with sharp thorns on either sides and bulbous, red flowers that surprisingly bloom overnight. The normal bearing period of pitaya in taiwan is from june to october. Pitahaya cactus definition of pitahaya cactus by the. Dragon fruit purple flesh pitaya exotic tropical cacti edible good eat plant 4. Pitaya usually refers to fruit of the genus stenocereus, citation needed while pitahaya or dragon fruit refers to fruit of the genus hylocereus, citation needed both in the family cactaceae.
Nutrition restore 55 servings organic usdacertified red dragon fruit powder pink pitaya 7. Here are 7 health benefits of dragon fruit, all based on evidence. A cactus plural cacti, cactuses, or less commonly, cactus is a member of the plant family cactaceae, a family comprising about 127 genera with some 1750 known species of the order caryophyllales. Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya, comes in two varieties one with white flesh, and one with a bright magentacolored flesh. Once the plant reaches a mature 10 pounds in weight, the plant may flower. Growing well in tropical lowlands, the perennial dragon fruit is a type of climbing cactus plant that can live up to two decades. Jan, 20 growing dragon fruit from vine cuttings, grow pitaya, grow pitahaya, jungle cactus, book. He also wrote a book about cacti titled the cactus book published in 1931. How to grow dragon fruit growing dragon fruit pitaya. From the scrub bushes of the desertfilled northern states, to the lush palms and exotic flowers of the hot and humid south, these are the most incredible trees, plants and flowers in mexico and where to find them. One variety of the latter is found in the arid regions of the americas and known as pitaya dulce meaning sweet pitaya.
Dragon fruit is also known as pitaya, nanettika fruit. Pitaya fruit, a sweet purple food used by native americans. The pitahaya, pitaya, or dragon fruit is unknown to most gardening books. If you are already a fan of cactus plants then getting a pitayadragon fruit plant is an easy decision. Pitaya dragonfruit ufifas edis university of florida. However, the most commonly cultivated varieties are in the genus, hylocereus, including the whitefleshed fruit, hylocereus undatus. Although it may sound like it belongs in a fairytale or story book rather than on your plate, dragon fruit is a versatile, vibrant and nutritious ingredient thats brimming with health benefits. This fleshy and colorful fruit has a refreshing and slightly tart taste. It is native to central and south america and comes from a vinelike catus. Today, pitahaya is cultivated in southeast asia, florida, the caribbean, australia, and throughout tropical and subtropical world regions.
Houghton red flesh dragon fruit variety from spicy exotics. Propagation of a dragon fruit cactus plant is easy. Houghton dragon fruit variety comes from the genus hylocereus and an unknown. Our 100% raw dragonfruit is handselected and chopped into cubes then quickly frozen to seal in freshness. Pitaya, also known as pitahaya, is the fruit of cactus species. Whitefleshed pitahaya hylocereus undatus is commonly called dragon fruit or strawberry pear. Dragon fruit surprisingly easy to grow miami herald. In fact, remaining members of the seri tribe still harvest the fruit. Pitaya is a highly prized, vining, fruit bearing cactus, extremely unusual terrestrialepiphytic plant. All types of cactus can be prone to pests including mealybugs, scales, fungus gnats, and spider mites. Dragon fruit, also known as pitahaya or pitaya, belongs to the cactus family.
The bright red fruit is also referred to as pitaya dulce. Prickly pear cactus or also known as nopal, opuntia and other names is promoted for treating diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity and hangovers. Making cuts at a 45 degree angle, detach 6 to 12inch segments from yearold growth. Dragon fruit cactus, also known as pitaya, is a vining cactus with long, flattened leaves and brilliantly colored fruits that develop after the plant flowers. Growing dragon fruit from vine cuttings, grow pitaya, grow pitahaya.