Hylocereus
| Hylocereus | |
|---|---|
| File:Hylocereus undatus.jpg | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Cactoideae |
| Tribe | Phyllocacteae |
| SubTribe | Hylocereinae |
| Genus | Hylocereus |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). Lodé maintains Hylocereus as a distinct genus from Selenicereus. |
Etymology
The name is derived from the Greek hyle (wood or forest) and the Latin cereus (wax candle), referring to their forest-dwelling, climbing habit.
Description
Hylocereus consists of large, climbing or epiphytic cacti, famous for producing the edible fruits known as "Pitahaya" or "Dragon Fruit."
- Stems: Typically 3-angled (triangular) or winged, producing numerous aerial roots for climbing trees or rocks. The margins of the ribs are often undulate (wavy).
- Flowers: Some of the largest in the cactus family, nocturnal, funnel-shaped, and usually white (rarely reddish). They feature broad scales on the floral tube but lack spines or wool.
- Fruits: Large, fleshy, globose to oblong berries, often bright red or yellow, covered with prominent foliaceous scales. The pulp is white, pink, or red and filled with small black seeds.
- Seeds: Relatively large, black, and kidney-shaped.
Habitat
The genus is native to tropical and subtropical forests, where it grows as a hemi-epiphyte (starting on the ground and climbing up) or lithophyte. They are adapted to humid environments with high rainfall.
Distribution
- Mexico, Central America, and Northern South America: Widely distributed and now naturalized in tropical regions worldwide due to cultivation.
Species and Subspecies
Following Lodé (2015), the genus includes 15 recognized species and 1 subspecies:
- Hylocereus calcaratus
- Hylocereus costaricensis
- Hylocereus escuintlensis
- Hylocereus guatemalensis
- Hylocereus herzogianus
- Hylocereus microcladus
- Hylocereus monacanthus
- Hylocereus ocamponis
- Hylocereus purpusii
- Hylocereus scandens
- Hylocereus stenopterus
- Hylocereus triangularis
- Hylocereus tricae
- Hylocereus undatus (The most common "Dragon Fruit")
- Hylocereus venezuelensis
Taxonomy
Lodé maintains Hylocereus separate from Selenicereus based on the absence of spines and wool on the floral tube/pericarpel and the distinct morphology of the fruits. While molecular data shows a close relationship, Lodé prioritizes morphological consistency for practical classification.
