Pitahaya
Selenicereus costaricensis

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A climbing cactus plant. The vines are vigorous and stout. They are waxy white. The fruit are round. It is like Hylocereus undatus but has bluish or grey-green stems. The edges are straight or slightly wavy. The flower buds purple. The fruit are bright red and 10 cm long. The flesh is red-purple. and there are many small black seeds.

Fruit are high in folates 24μg/100.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in wet areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Nicaragua, Pacific, Panama, Peru, USA

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit, flowers

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings.

Fruit weigh 250-600g.

Its other names

Local names

Flor de caliz, Pitajaya, Reina de la noche

Synonyms

Cereus costaricensis (Britton & Rose) A. Berger; Cereus trigonus var. costaricensis (Britton & Rose) F. A. C. Weber; Hylocereus costaricensis (F.A.C. Weber) Britton & Rose;