Hylocereus undatus is one unusual cactus. It's a large, vine-like climber from Central America and the West Indies that will drape itself over practically anything. H. undatus does not grow in the desert, but in tropical forests. Its fruit is known as pitaya or the strawberry pear. Here on the dunes it prefers to drape itself all over cabbage palms. Even more spectacular than the fruit are the blooms, which are huge, larger than a man's hand. They bloom most extravagantly for one night, but you can catch them the next morning, as I did during my herbalism class, as they were growing in the courtyard. Nectar-feeding bats and honey bees just love these flowers, and I can certainly understand their point of view! H. undatus is widely cultivated all over the planet these days, and that makes me happy. It's easy to grow from stem cuttings.
 |
| Night-blooming cereus, MR, 2014 |
 |
| Pitaya, courtesy of Wikipedia |
 |
| Hylocereus undatus, or Night-blooming Cereus, MR, 2014 | |
|
