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Summary
Native to South America, Hylocereus megalanthus or Yellow Pitaya is a succulent, climbing shrub that can grow on branches of trees of on the ground. It produces aerial roots. It is often cultivated for its fruits. The ovoid yellow fruit has a succulent pulp with a sweet flavor. The plant can be grown from seeds or stem cuttings.
Physical Characteristics
Hylocereus megalanthus is an evergreen Shrub growing to 2 m (6ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Cereus megalanthus K.Schum. ex Vaupel Mediocactus megalanthus (K.Schum. ex Vaupel) Britton & Rose Se
Plant Habitats
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:
Fruit - raw[416 ]. A succulent pulp with a sweet flavour[416 ]. Some forms have a thin skin and an extremely delicious flavour[301 ]. The fruit is around 12cm long and 7cm wide[416 ]. Immature fruits have tufts of thin spines, but these fall off naturally as the fruit ripens[416 ].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Vitamin C
Higher in calcium then red dragon fruit. High in protein. High in antioxidants. High in dietary fiber. A good source of magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. Small amounts of iron, vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Niacin. Seeds contain good amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Hedge
Agroforestry Uses: The plant can be used to make a beautiful flowering hedge[317 ].
Special Uses
Food Forest Hedge
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Plants can tolerate very high temperatures, and also occasional low temperatures to 0°c[377 ]. Often an epiphytic plant, though it also grows on the ground. Requires a well-drained soil and a pH of 6 or lower[200 ].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
The PFAF Bookshop
Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).
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Plant Propagation
Seed - Stem cuttings.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Yellow Pitaya, chaulmoogra, chaulmoogra oil tree, chaulmoograträd, chaulmugra, cholmugra, nirati, tuvaraka.
Native Range
SOUTHERN AMERICA: Colombia, Ecuador, Loja, Morona Santiago, Napo, Pichincha, Peru, San Martín,
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Status: Least Concern
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
(K.Schum. Ex Vaupel) Ralf Bauer
Botanical References
1
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.
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Subject : Hylocereus megalanthus
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