pitahaya
Noun: 1. The edible fruit of certain cacti: A brightly colored, often red or yellow, juicy fruit with a sweet, mild flavor, produced by several species of climbing cacti, particularly from the genera Hylocereus and Selenicereus. The flesh is typically studded with small, black seeds. 2. The cactus plant bearing this fruit: A vining or climbing cactus native to regions of the Americas, known for its large, fragrant, night-blooming flowers and its edible fruit.
- As a fruit:
- The pitahaya's vibrant pink skin and speckled flesh make it a visually striking addition to a fruit salad.
- She bought a ripe pitahaya from the market to try its sweet, kiwi-like flavor.
- As a plant:
- The pitahaya cactus is often grown on trellises for support.
- Farmers cultivate pitahaya for its commercially valuable fruit.
- "Dragon fruit": This is the most common commercial name for the fruit of the cactus, synonymous with pitahaya in many contexts.
- Pitahaya, commonly known as dragon fruit, is popular in smoothie bowls.
- Dragon fruit (n): A common name for the fruit, especially varieties with bright pink skin and white or red flesh.
- Strawberry pear (n): Another occasional name for the fruit, referencing its taste and shape.
- Night-blooming cereus (n): A term sometimes used for the pitahaya cactus plant, describing its flowering habit.
- Dragon fruit (primary synonym for the fruit in common usage)
- Cactus fruit (a more general term)
The term "pitahaya" can refer specifically to fruits from cacti of the genus Stenocereus, which are often more sour and found in arid regions, as opposed to the sweeter commercial "dragon fruit" from Hylocereus. However, in general usage, the names are frequently used interchangeably for the sweet, brightly colored fruit.
- highly colored edible fruit of pitahaya cactus having bright red juice; often as large as a peach
- cactus of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico having edible juicy fruit