Dragon fruit: fruit of the cactus

The cactus plant is typically known to grow in the desert. However, in tropical Queensland, a
native cactus produces a delicious fruit.

The pitahaya-producing cacti are native to Mexico, Asia, South America, Israel, China, Cyrpus, and northern Australia. Commonly called dragon fruit, or dragon scale, or fire dragon fruit, its outer leathery skin is red. The inner pulp can be white or red, both with small black seeds. The flower, or fruit, blooms only at night. Each fruit can weigh between 150-600 grams. They rely on nocturnal animals, such as bats or moths, for pollination. They like temperatures up to 40C (104F) and dry tropical climates.

The variety in northern Queensland (in the Port Douglas area) is the Hylocereus costaricensis, or Pitahay roja, meaning red-fleshed pitahaya. Its fruit is sweet and creamy. Cut in half, the fruit flesh can be scooped out easily (like a kiwi fruit). The taste is not strong and is a bit like a melon. Low in calories, it is a refreshing summer fruit, and can be juiced or added to yoghurt or ice-cream for flavouring.

MARTINA NICOLLSis an international aid and development consultant, and the authorof:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom(2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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