Dragon Fruit & EggsFruitDragon fruit is another name for the pitaya (also spelled pitahaya). The pitaya is a form of cactus - in fact there are a number of different species that share the name, mainly of the species Hylocereus. They are cultivated in South America and many Asian countries.One widespread species of dragon fruit is Hylocereus undulatus. This has a large flower that opens for just one night. The fruit is usually ready for picking some 30 days later.
EggsThe name dragon eggs was applied to a new fruit created in 2001 by cross-breeding two forms of pitaya.Researchers at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev crossed a Panamanian red pitaya with a Columbian yellow pitaya. The resultant fruit has a red peel and a sweet purple flesh. It ripens between November and February. Since the fruit belongs to the cactus famly its water requirements are relatively low, making it of potential interest for areas where there is a lack of irrigation.
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