Selenicereus undatus
Hylocereus undatus
Seleniceureus undatus, commonly known as the dragon fruit cactus, is a remarkable climbing epiphyte prized for its vibrant, nutritional fruit. Beyond its culinary appeal, this plant holds significant medicinal potential, offering antioxidant properties and bioactive compounds that support wellness, making it a fascinating subject for ethnobotanical study and holistic healing.
- Scientific name: Selenicereus undatus
- Family: Cactaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Further taxonomic placement puts it in the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Caryophyllales. Finally, it is a member of the family Cactaceae, falling under the genus Selenicereus and the species undatus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Caryophyllales | WCVP |
| Family | Cactaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Selenicereus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Selenicereus undatus, is recognized by various regional names across different languages and cultures. In Finnish, it is referred to as tarhametsäkaktus, while in Arabic, it is called شمعية خشبية مموجة الجوانب. It is also known as hullámos kúszókaktusz in Hungarian and as Röd pitahaya in Swedish. Additionally, it is sometimes identified by the name Hylocereus undatus in Tagalog.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| fi | tarhametsäkaktus | Wikidata |
| ar | شمعية خشبية مموجة الجوانب | Wikidata |
| hu | hullámos kúszókaktusz | Wikidata |
| sv | Röd pitahaya | Wikidata |
| tl | Hylocereus undatus | Wikidata |
| ko | 흰용과 | Wikidata |
| et | Maasik-metskaktus | Wikidata |
| yue | 霸王花 | Wikidata |
| tr | Hylocereus undatus | Wikidata |
| zh | 量天尺 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a distinct distribution pattern across several Mediterranean and Atlantic territories. In Southwestern Europe, it can be found inhabiting the Baleares and Sardegna. Its range extends into Southeastern Europe, specifically within the region of Sicilia. Furthermore, the species is present in Northern Africa, particularly in Tunisia. Finally, its geographical footprint reaches Macaronesia, where it is located among the Canary Is.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Europe | Baleares | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Sardegna | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Sicilia | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Tunisia | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Canary Is. | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Madeira | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Cape Provinces | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | KwaZulu-Natal | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Northern Provinces | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Selenicereus undatus, commonly known as dragon fruit, utilizes various parts of its fruit for different medicinal and nutritional purposes. The flowers are large, nocturnal blooms that play a crucial role in the plant's reproductive cycle and are sometimes studied for their unique bioactive compounds. The pulp is the most widely consumed portion, being rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber that support digestive health and immune function. Finally, the peel, while often discarded, contains significant amounts of polyphenols and can be processed for its potential therapeutic properties in managing oxidative stress.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flowers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pulp | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Peel | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Selenicereus undatus has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |