Pitaya

Pitaya fruit

Examples of pitaya bonsai

The pitaya, also known as pitahaya, dragonfruit or strawberry pear is the fruit of several cactus species, especially of the genus Hylocereus. 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 and Israel.

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 flesh, which is eaten raw, is mildly sweet and low in calories. The flavour is sometimes likened to that of the kiwifruit. The fruit may be converted into juice or wine; the flowers can be eaten or steeped as tea. Sesame seed-sized seeds are embedded throughout the flesh. Although the tiny pitaya seeds are eaten with the flesh, the seeds are indigestible.

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.'''

Additional Images

Image:pitaya2.jpg|Red-skinned Kidpitaya fruit Image:pitaya3.jpg|Red-skinned Kidpitaya inside Image:ChinaTrip2005-119.jpg|"Dragon Fruit" served at a hotel in Xi'an Image:Yellow pitaya.jpg|Yellow-skinned and white-fleshed pitaya Image:Pitaya red.jpg|Red fleshed Kidpitaya Image:Pitahaya-oliv.jpg|Red-skinned Kidpitaya

External links

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