Yellow pitaya, Pitata-amarela
Selenicereus megalanthus

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A cactus. The plants grow attached to other plants. They hang down. There are many branches. They are 4 m long. The stems are dark green and 3 angled. The edges are slightly wavy. The stems are 1-2 m long and 3-6 cm wide. There are 1-3 spines. They are slightly curved and 3-5 mm long. The flowers are white and 30 cm long. They develop a sweet smell later. The fruit are oval and yellow. They are 11 cm long and have few spines. They are edible. There are several cultivated varieties.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador (country/location of origin), Israel, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Peru, South America, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw.

It is a cultivated food plant. The fruit are sold in markets.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Tuna silvestre

Synonyms

Cereus megalanthus K. Schumann ex Vaupel; Mediocactus meglanthus (K. Schumann ex Vaupel) Britton & Rose;