Hylocereus Undatus

The Pearl Dragon Fruit, a.k.a. Pitaya or Pitahaya, Strawberry Pear... is found in many places in Miami. Its exact origin is unknown, but is likely from Southern Mexico through Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador and Costa Rica. It is cultivated around the world in tropical regions. The fruits are round, often red colored with prominent scales. The thin rind encloses the large mass of refreshingly sweet flavored white or red pulp and small black seeds. Some varieties are pinkish or yellow. It looks pretty, buy I don't touch this fruit.

The plant is a vining, terrestrial or epiphytic cactus, with fleshy stems reaching from a few inches up to 20ft long (in mature plants). They grow well in Miami, but I can't grow them as well because they need more direct sun than my too shady yard can provide. The fruits shown were bought and I can tell you that they command prices fit for a prince's ransom.

Do you ever wonder what's in a fruit? Each 100g serving of this Pearl Dragon Fruit contains:

Calories: 35
Fat: .1g
Protein: .5g
Fiber: .3g
Carbs: 9.2g
Iron: .4mg
Phosphorous: 19mg
Calcium: 6mg
Vitamin A: 25mg
Vitamin C: 8.5mg

Wouldn't you fancy that!