Pineapple cactus
Selenicereus setaceus

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A cactus. It grows attached to other plants. It has snake like stems. They are long and arching. They can be 4-5 angled and are light green. They are 2-4 cm across. The flowers come out at night. They are white with yellow bases. The flowers are large. They are 25-30 cm long. The fruit are oval and lumpy. They are red and have bristles.

There are about 20-28 Selenicereus species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Bolivia (country/location of origin), Brazil, Paraguay (country/location of origin), South America

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Pitajaya amarilla, Oitaya-tiu, Yacare ruguira

Synonyms

Cereus setaceus A.P. de Candolle; Mediocactus setaceus (A.P. de Candolle) Borg; Cereus coccineus Salm-Dyck ex A.P. de Candolle; Mediocactus coccineus (A.P. de Candolle) Britton & Rose; Cereus lindbergianus F.A.C. Weber ex K. Schumann; Cereus lindmanii F.A.C. Weber ex K. Schumann; Mediocactus lindmanii (F.A.C. Weber ex K. Schumann) Backenberg; Cereus hassleri K. Schumann; Mediocactus hassleri (K. Schumann) Backeberg; Selenicereus rizzinii Scheinvar;