MANILA, Philippines -- The Dragon Fruit is one of the more colorful fruits being sold in the market. It originates from Central and South America, where it is also known as pitaya or pitahaya. It is also called the strawberry pear or nanettikafruit. It's one of the most widely distributed members of the Cactaceae family. There are three species of Dragon Fruit in the genus Hylocereus and one species in the genus Selenicereus. Varieties of Hylocereus guatemalensis, Hylocereus polyrhizus, and Hylocereus undatus, as well as hybrids of these three species, are grown commercially worldwide.
The name Dragon Fruit was coined by Asian merchants. The plant, after all, has long vine-like cacti which resembles the body of a dragon. Its fruits are red and they came to symbolize the dragon's fire breath. The Dragon Fruits in the Philippines are usually red with white flesh and black seeds. Dragon Fruit flesh can also be come in white, red, or magenta
The fruit has several uses. The red fleshed varieties contain lycopene, a natural antioxidant known to fight cancer and heart disease. Red-skinned Dragon Fruits are a good source of Vitamin C and phosphorus, fiber, and minerals. It also contains significant quantities of phytoalbumin antioxidants, which prevents the formation of cancer-causing free radicals. The seeds are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids.
The plant is also pretty enough to be an ornamental plant. It's also a delicious dessert fruit and can even be processed into a fruit drink.
The Dragon Fruit clings to rocks or branches of trees. Its large white fragrant flowers are shaped like cactus flowers. Once pollinated, they turn into reddish, smooth scaled, medium sized fruits with a white creamy pulp, dotted with numerous black seeds and with a delicate aroma. Dragon fruits flower overnight, but the flowers start wilting in the morning. They rely on nocturnal creatures like bats or moths for pollination.
The plant thrives under full sunlight and in fertile, well-drained soil. Overwatering or flooding will result into rotten fruits. Also, the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris may also cause the stems to rot. As it continues to grow, the plant will need a pole or trellis to climb on.
