Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Hylocereus megalanthus

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Kingdom
  
Plantae

Family
  
Cactaceae

Scientific name
  
Hylocereus megalanthus

Rank
  
Species

Order
  
Caryophyllales

Genus
  
Hylocereus

Higher classification
  
Hylocereus

Hylocereus megalanthus Hylocereus megalanthus buy seeds at rarepalmseedscom

Similar
  
Hylocereus, Hylocereus costaricensis, Moonlight cactus, Hylocereus undatus, Cactus

Hylocereus megalanthus is a cactus species in the genus Hylocereus that is native to northern South America, where it is known, along with its fruit, by the name of Pitahaya. The species is grown commercially for its yellow fruit, but is also an impressive ornamental climbing vine with perhaps the largest flowers of all cacti.

Contents

Hylocereus megalanthus Yellow Pitahaya Hylocereus megalanthus Crosseye stereogr Flickr

The yellow fruit has thorns, unlike the red dragon fruits (H. undatus, H. polyrhizus, H. costaricensis), and is commonly known as "yellow dragon fruit", "yellow pitahaya" or "yellow pitaya".

Hylocereus megalanthus Amarillo Pitaya Hylocereus megalanthus Dragon Fruit semillas

Etymology

Megalanthus (Greek) - large flowered. This species produces among of the largest flowers within the cactus family.

Origin and habitat

Venezuela to Peru, including Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, in tropical riparian forests. It is Epiphytic or xerophytic.

Description

Hylocereus megalanthus GAP Gardens Hylocereus megalanthus Dragon Fruit Image No

  • Stems may lie along the ground (procumbent), climb (scandent), or hang (pendent). Stems are often only 1.5 cm thick, producing aerial roots; 3 ribs; margins slightly undulating; white areoles; 1-3 spines 2–3 mm long, yellowish; several hairs on young growth, britle-like; green epidermis. *Flowers are nocturnal and funnel-shaped, 32–38 cm long; pericarpel is ovoid or slightly globose, tubercles are large and flattened, with felt-like and spiny areoles subtended by small bracteoles; receptacle elongate; outer tepals long, green, triangular-acute; inner tepals 10 cm long, 3.5 cm wide, white, broader; stamens numerous inserted in two zones, yellow; style yellow, stigma lobes numerous, green.
  • Fruit: ovoid, tuberculate, spiny, skin yellow (sometimes red/orange, when hybridized), seeds black; interior white (sometimes pink, when hybridized), edible, having a pleasant, mildly sweet flavor.
  • Pollination: Yellow pitayas are self-fertile (meaning no cross-pollination is required)

    • Systematics

    Hylocereus megalanthus Hylocereus megalanthus buy seeds at rarepalmseedscom

    Closely related to Hylocereus setaceus (floral tube or pericarpel 19–22 cm with small tubercles) but otherwice quite isolated within Hylocereus. Is intermediate between Selenicereus and Hylocereus. Recent research suggest that this species originated as a hybrid between species of Hylocereus and Selenicereus (see references). The two species possibly involved, as being native in the same area, are Hylocereus costaricensis and Selenicereus inermis.

    Cultivation

    Hylocereus megalanthus httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

    An easily cultivated, fast growing plant. Needs a compost containing plenty of humus and sufficient moisture in summer. Should not be kept under 8 °C (46.5 °F) in winter. Can be grown in semi-shade, but best in full sunlight. Extra light in the early spring will stimulate budding. Flowers in June to October. This plant may grow to a very large size.

    Hylocereus megalanthus Hylocereus megalanthus Images Useful Tropical Plants

    Hylocereus megalanthus EXOTIC FRUITS Pitaya Yellow Dragon Fruit Hylocereus Megalanthus

    Hylocereus megalanthus Hylocereus megalanthus

    References

    Hylocereus megalanthus Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA