Hylocereus trigonus

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A cactus. It is a climbing branched vine. It can be 10 m long. The stems are slender and green without horny edges. They are 1-2 cm across. They have 3 or 4 wavy ribs along them. The spines are green but turn dark brown. The flowers occur singly. They hang down and are 20-24 cm long. The fruit are red and 12-14 cm long by 7-9 cm across. The fruit are oval and become nearly smooth. The flesh is white with many black seeds.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry forest and near the coast.

Countries/locations it is found in

Antigua & Barbuda, Central America, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Hispaniola, Martinique, Montserrat, Panama, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, West Indies

How it is used for food

The pulp of the fruit is eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Fruit weigh 120-250 g.

Its other names

Local names

Chickenet, Pitahaya, Strawberry pear

Synonyms

Cereus trigonus Haw.; Cereus undatus Haw.; and others