Pitaya

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The pitaya (also known as pitahaya, dragon fruit, huǒ lóng guǒ (火龍果/火龙果), strawberry pear, nanettikafruit, or thanh long) is the fruit of several cactus species, especially of the genus Hylocereus, but also see Stenocereus. Native to Mexico and Central and South America, these vine-like epiphytic cacti are also cultivated in Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam and Malaysia. They are also found in Taiwan, Okinawa, Israel, and southern China. The pitaya only flowers at night; they are large white flowers that are often called Moonflower or Queen of the Night.

The species Stenocereus gummosus in the Sonoran desert has been an important food source for Native American peoples. The Seri people of northwestern Mexico still harvest the highly appreciated fruit of the pitaya agria (Spanish), which the Seris call ziix is ccapxl "thing whose fruit is sour".

Contents 1 Cultivation 2 Pests, diseases and problems 3 Fruit 4 Legend 5 Trivia 6 References 7 Gallery 8 External links

[edit] Cultivation

The plant has adapted to live in dry tropical climates with a moderate amount of rain. The dragonfruit sets on the cactus-like tree 30-50 days after flowering and can sometimes have 5-6 cycles of harvests per year. There are some farms in Vietnam that produce 30 tons of fruit per hectare every year.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Pests, diseases and problems

Overwatering or excessive rainfall can cause the flowers to drop and fruit to rot. Birds can be a nuisance. There is a bacterium named Xanthomonas campestris, which causes the stem flesh to rot. The fungus Dothiorella can cause brown spots on the fruit, but is not common.

[edit] Fruit

The fruit comes in three types, all with leathery, slightly leafy skin:

• Hylocereus undatus, white flesh with pink skin
• Hylocereus polyrhizus, red flesh with pink skin
• Selenicereus megalanthus, white flesh with yellow skin

The fruit can weigh from 150-600 grams and the flesh, which is eaten raw, is mildly sweet and low in calories. It is rich in fibre, vitamin C and minerals together with phytoalbumins [which have antioxidant properties]. Eating the fruit is sometimes likened to that of the kiwifruit due to a prevalence of sesame seed-sized black crunchy seeds found in the flesh of both fruits which make for a similar texture upon consumption. The fruit may be converted into juice or wine; the flowers can be eaten or steeped as tea. Although the tiny pitaya seeds are eaten with the flesh, the seeds are indigestible.

Dragonfruit is rich in fibre, Vitamin C and minerals. The typical nutritional value per 100g of dragonfruit is as follows:

Ashes 0.68g Fat 0.61g Fiber 0.9g Phosphorus 36.1mg Carotene 0.012g Protein 0.229g Water 83.0g Calcium 8.8g Iron 0.65mg Riboflavin 0.045mg Niacin 0.430mg Ascorbic Acid 9.0mg

Dragonfruit is also rich in phytoalbumins which are highly valued for their antioxidant properties. Antioxidants prevent the formation of cancer causing free radicals. In Taiwan, diabetics use the fruit as a food substitute for rice and as a fibre rich part of the diet.

[edit] Legend

The legend of the dragonfruit says that the fruit was created by fire-breathing dragons. By eating the dragonfruit it was believed that one became empowered with the same strength and ferocity of a dragon. Other stories say that the dragonfruit looks like a dragon's egg.

[edit] Trivia

• The red flesh variety is believed to be rich in antioxidants.
• The bonsai version of pitaya plants can be found in flower markets in Taiwan.
• The pitaya fruit is rich in vitamins.
• The pitaya fruit helps the digestive process.
• The pitaya fruit helps prevent colon cancer and diabetes.
• The pitaya fruit helps to neutralize toxic substances such as heavy metal, reduce cholesterol levels and high blood pressure.
• Consumed regularly the pitaya fruit can help against asthma and cough.
• The pitaya fruit can be grown without the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
• Baja Dragonfruit is a flavor in the Baja California variety of Starburst candy.

[edit] References

• Felger, Richard; Mary B. Moser. (1985). People of the desert and sea: ethnobotany of the Seri Indians. Tucson: University of Arizona Press. 

[edit] Gallery

Red-skinned pitaya fruit (Hylocereus undatus)	Red-skinned pitaya inside (Hylocereus undatus)	Red-skinned pitaya (Hylocereus undatus)	"Dragon Fruit" served at a hotel in Xi'an
Yellow-skinned and white-fleshed pitaya (Selenicereus megalanthus)	Red fleshed pitaya (Hylocereus sp.)

[edit] External links

• I love pitaya.com
• Canadian Dragonfruit
• Description and photos of several varieties
• Dragon fruit Growing Tips
• Dragonfruit facts and legend