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[[Image:Pitaya on plate.jpg|thumb|Pitaya fruit]]
[[Image:Pitaya bonsai.jpg|thumb|Examples of pitaya bonsai]]
The '''pitaya''' (also known as '''pitahaya''', '''dragon fruit''', '''huǒ lóng guǒ''' (火龍果/火龙果), '''strawberry pear''', '''nanettikafruit''', or '''thanh long''') is the [[fruit]] of several [[cactus]] [[species]], especially of the [[genus]] ''[[Hylocereus]]'', but also see ''[[Stenocereus]]''. Native to [[Mexico]] and [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America]], these vine-like [[epiphyte|epiphytic]] cacti are also cultivated in [[Southeast Asia]]n countries such as [[Vietnam]], the [[Philippines]], and [[Malaysia]]. They are also found in [[Taiwan]], [[Okinawa]], [[Israel]], and southern [[China]]. The pitaya blooms only at night; they are large white fragrant flowers, typical of cactus, that are often called [[Moonflower]] or Queen of the Night.
The species ''[[Stenocereus]] gummosus''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.oceanoasis.org/fieldguide/sten-gum.html| title = Ocean Oasis Field Guide| accessdate = 2007-10-01}} </ref> in the [[Sonoran Desert]] has been an important food source for Native American peoples. The [[Seri people]] of northwestern Mexico still harvest the highly appreciated fruit of the ''pitaya agria'' (Spanish), which the Seris call ''ziix is ccapxl'' - "thing whose fruit is sour".
==Cultivation==
The plant has adapted to live in dry tropical climates with a moderate amount of rain.
The dragonfruit sets on the cactus-like tree 30-50 days after flowering and can sometimes have 5-6 cycles of harvests per year. There are some farms in Vietnam that produce 30 tons of fruit per hectare every year. <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.newcrops.uq.edu.au/newslett/ncn11163.htm| title = Pitaya (Hylocereus undatus), a Potential New Crop for Australia| accessdate = 2007-09-14}} </ref>
==Pests, diseases and problems==
Overwatering or excessive rainfall can cause the flowers to drop and fruit to rot. Birds can be a nuisance. There is a [[bacterium]] named ''[[Xanthomonas campestris]]'', which causes the stem flesh to rot. The fungus ''[[Dothiorella]]'' can cause brown spots on the fruit, but is not common.
==Fruit==
[[Image:Dragon_fruit.JPG|thumb|right|Dragon fruit]]
The fruit comes in three types, all with leathery, slightly leafy skin:
*''[[Hylocereus undatus]]'', white flesh with pink skin
*''[[Hylocereus costaricensis|Hylocereus polyrhizus]]'', red flesh with pink skin
*''[[Selenicereus megalanthus]]'', white flesh with yellow skin
The fruit can weigh from 150-600 grams and the flesh, which is eaten raw, is mildly sweet and low in [[calorie]]s. Eating the fruit is sometimes likened to that of the [[kiwifruit]] due to a prevalence of [[sesame]] seed-sized black crunchy seeds found in the flesh of both fruits which make for a similar texture upon consumption. The skin is not eaten. The fruit may be converted into [[juice]] or [[wine]]; the [[flower]]s can be eaten or steeped as [[tea]]. Although the tiny pitaya seeds are eaten with the flesh, the seeds are indigestible. It is generally recommended that dragon fruit be eaten chilled, for improved flavor.
==Nutritional claims==
{{ActiveDiscuss}}
*The red flesh variety is rich in [[antioxidants]]. <ref name="gh_20070616">{{cite web | url=http://www.twowests.co.uk/weblog/archives/2006/07/dragon_fruit.html| title = Description of Dragon Fruit| accessdate = 2007-06-16}} </ref>
*The pitaya fruit is rich in vitamins. <ref name="gasingdf_20070616">{{cite web | url=http://www.gasing.com/dragonfruits/nutrition_facts.shtml| title = Nutrition facts about Pitaya| accessdate = 2007-06-16}} </ref>
Dragonfruit is rich in fiber, Vitamin C and minerals. The typical nutritional value per 100g of dragonfruit is as follows:
*Ashes 0.68g
*[[Fat]] 0.61g
*Fiber 0.9g
*[[Phosphorus]] 36.1mg
*[[Carotene]] 0.012g
*[[Protein]] 0.229g
*Water 83.0g
*[[Calcium]] 8.8mg
*[[Iron]] 0.65mg
*[[Riboflavin]] 0.045mg
*[[Niacin]] 0.430mg
*[[Ascorbic Acid]] 9.0mg
Dragonfruit is also rich in phytoalbumins which are highly valued for their antioxidant properties. Antioxidants prevent the formation of cancer-causing free radicals. In Taiwan, diabetics use the fruit as a food substitute for rice and as a source of [[dietary fiber]].
==References==
<references />
*{{cite book |last=Felger |first=Richard |coauthors=Mary B. Moser. |title=People of the desert and sea: ethnobotany of the Seri Indians |location=Tucson |year=1985 |publisher=University of Arizona Press}}
==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:pitaya2.jpg|Red-skinned pitaya fruit (''Hylocereus undatus'')
Image:pitaya3.jpg|Red-skinned pitaya inside (''Hylocereus undatus'')
Image:Pitahaya-oliv.jpg|Red-skinned pitaya (''Hylocereus undatus'')
Image:ChinaTrip2005-119.jpg|"Dragon Fruit" served at a hotel in Xi'an
Image:Yellow pitaya.jpg|Yellow-skinned and white-fleshed pitaya (''Selenicereus megalanthus'')
Image:Pitaya red.jpg|Red fleshed pitaya (''Hylocereus sp.'')
Image:Piatahaya.jpg|Pitaya in shop in Poland
Image:PitayaFluer.jpg|Pitaya flower blooming
Image:Pa150231.jpg
</gallery>
{{commons|Hylocereus undatus|Pitaya}}
[[Category:Fruit]]
[[Category:Cacti]]
[[Category:Vietnamese cuisine]]
[[Category:Mexican cuisine]]
[[Category:Cacti of Mexico]]
[[Category:Underutilized crops]]
[[Category:Tropical agriculture]]
[[Image:Pitaya bonsai.jpg|thumb|Examples of pitaya bonsai]]
The '''pitaya''' (also known as '''pitahaya''', '''dragon fruit''', '''huǒ lóng guǒ''' (火龍果/火龙果), '''strawberry pear''', '''nanettikafruit''', or '''thanh long''') is the [[fruit]] of several [[cactus]] [[species]], especially of the [[genus]] ''[[Hylocereus]]'', but also see ''[[Stenocereus]]''. Native to [[Mexico]] and [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America]], these vine-like [[epiphyte|epiphytic]] cacti are also cultivated in [[Southeast Asia]]n countries such as [[Vietnam]], the [[Philippines]], and [[Malaysia]]. They are also found in [[Taiwan]], [[Okinawa]], [[Israel]], and southern [[China]]. The pitaya blooms only at night; they are large white fragrant flowers, typical of cactus, that are often called [[Moonflower]] or Queen of the Night.
The species ''[[Stenocereus]] gummosus''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.oceanoasis.org/fieldguide/sten-gum.html| title = Ocean Oasis Field Guide| accessdate = 2007-10-01}} </ref> in the [[Sonoran Desert]] has been an important food source for Native American peoples. The [[Seri people]] of northwestern Mexico still harvest the highly appreciated fruit of the ''pitaya agria'' (Spanish), which the Seris call ''ziix is ccapxl'' - "thing whose fruit is sour".
==Cultivation==
The plant has adapted to live in dry tropical climates with a moderate amount of rain.
The dragonfruit sets on the cactus-like tree 30-50 days after flowering and can sometimes have 5-6 cycles of harvests per year. There are some farms in Vietnam that produce 30 tons of fruit per hectare every year. <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.newcrops.uq.edu.au/newslett/ncn11163.htm| title = Pitaya (Hylocereus undatus), a Potential New Crop for Australia| accessdate = 2007-09-14}} </ref>
==Pests, diseases and problems==
Overwatering or excessive rainfall can cause the flowers to drop and fruit to rot. Birds can be a nuisance. There is a [[bacterium]] named ''[[Xanthomonas campestris]]'', which causes the stem flesh to rot. The fungus ''[[Dothiorella]]'' can cause brown spots on the fruit, but is not common.
==Fruit==
[[Image:Dragon_fruit.JPG|thumb|right|Dragon fruit]]
The fruit comes in three types, all with leathery, slightly leafy skin:
*''[[Hylocereus undatus]]'', white flesh with pink skin
*''[[Hylocereus costaricensis|Hylocereus polyrhizus]]'', red flesh with pink skin
*''[[Selenicereus megalanthus]]'', white flesh with yellow skin
The fruit can weigh from 150-600 grams and the flesh, which is eaten raw, is mildly sweet and low in [[calorie]]s. Eating the fruit is sometimes likened to that of the [[kiwifruit]] due to a prevalence of [[sesame]] seed-sized black crunchy seeds found in the flesh of both fruits which make for a similar texture upon consumption. The skin is not eaten. The fruit may be converted into [[juice]] or [[wine]]; the [[flower]]s can be eaten or steeped as [[tea]]. Although the tiny pitaya seeds are eaten with the flesh, the seeds are indigestible. It is generally recommended that dragon fruit be eaten chilled, for improved flavor.
==Nutritional claims==
{{ActiveDiscuss}}
*The red flesh variety is rich in [[antioxidants]]. <ref name="gh_20070616">{{cite web | url=http://www.twowests.co.uk/weblog/archives/2006/07/dragon_fruit.html| title = Description of Dragon Fruit| accessdate = 2007-06-16}} </ref>
*The pitaya fruit is rich in vitamins. <ref name="gasingdf_20070616">{{cite web | url=http://www.gasing.com/dragonfruits/nutrition_facts.shtml| title = Nutrition facts about Pitaya| accessdate = 2007-06-16}} </ref>
Dragonfruit is rich in fiber, Vitamin C and minerals. The typical nutritional value per 100g of dragonfruit is as follows:
*Ashes 0.68g
*[[Fat]] 0.61g
*Fiber 0.9g
*[[Phosphorus]] 36.1mg
*[[Carotene]] 0.012g
*[[Protein]] 0.229g
*Water 83.0g
*[[Calcium]] 8.8mg
*[[Iron]] 0.65mg
*[[Riboflavin]] 0.045mg
*[[Niacin]] 0.430mg
*[[Ascorbic Acid]] 9.0mg
Dragonfruit is also rich in phytoalbumins which are highly valued for their antioxidant properties. Antioxidants prevent the formation of cancer-causing free radicals. In Taiwan, diabetics use the fruit as a food substitute for rice and as a source of [[dietary fiber]].
==References==
<references />
*{{cite book |last=Felger |first=Richard |coauthors=Mary B. Moser. |title=People of the desert and sea: ethnobotany of the Seri Indians |location=Tucson |year=1985 |publisher=University of Arizona Press}}
==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:pitaya2.jpg|Red-skinned pitaya fruit (''Hylocereus undatus'')
Image:pitaya3.jpg|Red-skinned pitaya inside (''Hylocereus undatus'')
Image:Pitahaya-oliv.jpg|Red-skinned pitaya (''Hylocereus undatus'')
Image:ChinaTrip2005-119.jpg|"Dragon Fruit" served at a hotel in Xi'an
Image:Yellow pitaya.jpg|Yellow-skinned and white-fleshed pitaya (''Selenicereus megalanthus'')
Image:Pitaya red.jpg|Red fleshed pitaya (''Hylocereus sp.'')
Image:Piatahaya.jpg|Pitaya in shop in Poland
Image:PitayaFluer.jpg|Pitaya flower blooming
Image:Pa150231.jpg
</gallery>
{{commons|Hylocereus undatus|Pitaya}}
[[Category:Fruit]]
[[Category:Cacti]]
[[Category:Vietnamese cuisine]]
[[Category:Mexican cuisine]]
[[Category:Cacti of Mexico]]
[[Category:Underutilized crops]]
[[Category:Tropical agriculture]]