Common Name: Dragon Fruit

General Information

Selenicereus undatus is a succulent, climbing shrubby cactus that can grow in the branches of trees or on the ground. It produces aerial roots which it uses to support itself[]. The plant produces masses of stems and can grow 5 metres or more tall[, ].
This species is known for certain only as a cultivated plant, occasionally subspontaneous or escaped from cultivation[]. It is frequently grown in tropical and subtropical areas (especially America), both for its edible fruit, which is often sold in American and Asian markets, and as an ornamental[, , ].
The native range of Selenicereus undatus is not known with any certainty and hence nothing is known about its extent of occurrence, its population size and trends or any threats to the species. Even if the native range were confirmed to be Central America, distinguishing between the wild population and naturalized plants from cultivated sources would be very difficult. The plant is classified as 'Data Deficient' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[].
Selenicereus undatus is widely cultivated in the tropics and subtropics, where it has often escaped from cultivation and become naturalised. It has been classified as 'invasive' in some areas, where it often spreads vegetatively[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Central America - Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, north to central Mexico

Habitat

An epiphytic or terrestrial plant, growing in thickets, hedges, on rocks or rock walls, at elevations up to 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Data Deficient
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	4.00 m
Pollinators	Bats
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental

Cultivation Details

A plant of the warm tropical lowlands with low to high rainfall[]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 - 28°c, but can tolerate 12 - 34°c[]. It succeeds with a mean annual rainfall in the range 300 - 3,500mm[].
Often an epiphytic plant, though it also grows on the ground. Requires a well-drained soil and a pH of 6 or lower[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.3 - 6.7, tolerating 5 - 7.5[].
Plants grow well, but do not always set fruit well, when growing in the wetter areas of the tropics[].
The fragrant flowers open during the night[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. Delicious[, ]. A sweet, pleasant flavour[]. The red fruit is 7 - 12cm long, covered in prominent scales[].

Unopened flower buds can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable[].

Medicinal

The juice of the stems is acrid and caustic and is employed externally and internally as a vermicide, although internal use is dangerous[].
The juice of the plant is anthelmintic and also used to treat heart problems[].

A decoction of the stem is a cooling remedy for fevers[]. A syrup made from the juice of the stem is used to treat pulmonary afflictions[].
Poultices made from the stem are sedative and emollient on ulcers and abscesses[].

A tincture made from the flowers is diuretic and cardiac[].

The fruit juice is antiscorbutic[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant can be used to make a beautiful flowering hedge[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -
Stem cuttings.

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