Pitahaya sp. Plant on a support
Fleshy stems grow along a support. Adventitious roots are shown on their surface. Buds, a flower and a fruit appear on the same plant as illustrative developmental stages. [Crane and Balerdi 2006] [Korotkova et al. 2017]
Illustrative image generated with AI and supplied by the site author. The label Pitahaya sp. refers to the shared appearance of this group of plants. Proportions and details are schematic.
Enlarge plate ↗The genus and historical names
The atlas follows the current POWO treatment of Selenicereus. Historical names Hylocereus undatus, H. monacanthus, H. polyrhizus and H. megalanthus lead to the corresponding accepted-species cards. Literature using these names describes different accessions, cultivars and hybrids, so findings remain linked to the material studied. [2-WWW] [2-WWW] [2-WWW] [2-WWW]
The climbing stem and water reserves
A segmented stem can produce adventitious roots. Roots emerging above ground help attach the plant to a support. A segment rooted in the substrate also gains its own route for water uptake. The ability to form roots supports vegetative propagation and the preservation of a selected cultivar’s traits. [Nobel 2006, Nobel 2006 p. 469–470, Graham and Nobel 2005 p. 13–14] [Graham and Nobel 2005, Nobel 2006 p. 469–470, Graham and Nobel 2005 p. 13–14]
Data from Selenicereus undatus show cooperation between water-storage parenchyma and chlorenchyma, while reproductive studies examine other properties of selected species. Structure and physiology vary within the genus. Each card develops findings for the identified plant, with reference to its material and environment. [Nobel 2006, Nobel 2006 p. 469–473, Cohen and Tel-Zur 2012 p. 345–353, Simão et al. 2007 p. 655–660] [Cohen and Tel-Zur 2012, Nobel 2006 p. 469–473, Cohen and Tel-Zur 2012 p. 345–353, Simão et al. 2007 p. 655–660] [Simão et al. 2007, Nobel 2006 p. 469–473, Cohen and Tel-Zur 2012 p. 345–353, Simão et al. 2007 p. 655–660]
Dragon fruit in research and cultivation
Dragon fruit combines fresh-fruit production with breeding for differences in colour, pollination system and yield. In research, the economic importance of self-incompatibility follows from the need to transfer pollen and maintain compatible partners. Work on flowering control addresses the seasonality of supply. In this crop, physiology directly affects labour organization and harvest timing. [Jiang et al. 2012, Jiang et al. 2012 p. 1063–1067, Chu and Chang 2020 p. 1–6, Li et al. 2022 p. 1–4, Cohen and Tel-Zur 2012 p. 345–346] [Chu and Chang 2020, Jiang et al. 2012 p. 1063–1067, Chu and Chang 2020 p. 1–6, Li et al. 2022 p. 1–4, Cohen and Tel-Zur 2012 p. 345–346] [Li et al. 2022, Jiang et al. 2012 p. 1063–1067, Chu and Chang 2020 p. 1–6, Li et al. 2022 p. 1–4, Cohen and Tel-Zur 2012 p. 345–346] [Cohen and Tel-Zur 2012, Jiang et al. 2012 p. 1063–1067, Chu and Chang 2020 p. 1–6, Li et al. 2022 p. 1–4, Cohen and Tel-Zur 2012 p. 345–346]
Selenicereus setaceus illustrates light-regulated germination, S. monacanthus pollen-compatibility studies, and S. megalanthus tetraploid genome research. Together, they offer distinct perspectives on climbing cactus biology. The dragon fruit article connects these with identification of cultivated material and fruit-production requirements. [Li et al. 2022, zakres cytowanych prac] [Zaman et al. 2025, zakres cytowanych prac] [Simão et al. 2007, zakres cytowanych prac]
Related articles
Synonyms and names in the literature
Hylocereus [2-WWW]
