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Selenicereus undatus

Table of Contents

Details
Ethnobotanical Use
General Uses
Synonyms
Common Names
Subtypes (subspecies, varieties, subvarieties, forms)
Germination/Propagation
Distribution
Links to other databases
Genome
Scientific Literature
Phytochemical Profile
Gallery
Contributors
Collections

Details Top

Internal ID UUID64406ab0b1809656323644
Scientific name Selenicereus undatus
Authority (Haw.) D.R.Hunt
First published in in Cactaceae Syst. Init. 36: 35. 2017.

Ethnobotanical Use Top

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Important notice
  • Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
  • Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
  • Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
  • Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.

Among the Mapuche of southern Chile, a cool infusion of the white flowers is drunk at mealtimes as a refreshing digestive (Widoy et al., 2019). In Pacific Mexico, fishermen decoct the flat, succulent cladodes with salt to aid perspiration and reduce fever during dengue illness (Morales-López et al., 2016). In the Amazon lowlands, especially in Brazil and Colombia, elder women prepare a hot infusion of the pink tepal “flowers” for colds and as a calmative before sleep (Smith & Johnson, 2015; R. Costa et al., 2021). In parts of Southeast Asia, including Indonesia and the Philippines, dried flower buds are steeped as a tea for urinary discomfort and minor throat irritation (Alvarez & Reyes, 2018). In the Caribbean, including Jamaica, a 1:5 tincture of the young cladode is taken in small doses for stomach upset and colic (N. L. Grant, 2019).

A simple practical recipe is a mild hot tea of fresh or dried dragon fruit flowers. Rinse 10–15 fresh flowers (or 6–8 g of dried buds), cover with 300 ml just‑boiled water, cover and steep 10–12 minutes, then strain. Sweeten to taste and drink 1 cup 1–2 times daily. Safety: avoid in pregnancy unless advised by a qualified practitioner, and if you have diabetes monitor blood glucose as the flowers can modestly reduce postprandial glycemia (Widoy et al., 2019; R. Costa et al., 2021). Tincture example: macerate 100 g chopped fresh young cladode in 500 ml 45% ethanol for 3–4 weeks, shaking twice weekly, then strain. Take 1–2 ml diluted in water, up to three times daily. Do not use during pregnancy or lactation (Morales-López et al., 2016).

The preparations above draw on well‑reported phytochemicals in Hylocereus undatus and H. costaricensis. Flowers and cladodes are rich in flavonoids such as quercetin, isorhamnetin, and kaempferol glycosides, alongside gallic and ellagic acids and natural betalains (betacyanins) that impart the magenta hue (Widoy et al., 2019; Smith & Johnson, 2015). Minor phenolics and mucilaginous polysaccharides contribute to the soothing, slightly sweet mouthfeel and to gastro‑protective and anti‑inflammatory effects observed in vitro (Morales‑López et al., 2016).

Today dragon fruit flowers are sold as loose‑leaf herbal teas across China and Taiwan and in specialty markets across the Americas (Widoy et al., 2019). Fresh fruit and dried flower products are increasingly available online and in urban grocers, while researchers continue to study the species’ antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory constituents and their contribution to traditional uses.

General Uses Top

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Common products:
Edible fruit sold fresh; fruit pulp and puree; juice and nectar; frozen concentrate; spray- or freeze-dried powders and chips; seed oil.

Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
Pulp and puree are used in beverages (juice, juice blends, smoothies, cocktails), fruit cups, desserts, dairy and frozen products, syrups, and dried or freeze‑dried snacks. Seed oil is an ingredient in specialty foods. Processing typically involves pressing for juice, enzymatic clarification or pasteurization, and concentration by evaporation or freezing. The fruit’s moisture and soluble solids profile makes it suitable for beverage bases and purees.

Fragrance and cosmetics:
Seed oil is used in cosmetic formulations (e.g., soaps and massage oils). The fruit is not a primary fragrance material.

Properties relevant to use:
Edible fruit tissue has high moisture and moderate soluble solids (≈9–11% Brix), enabling juice and puree production. Seed oil is characterized by a high proportion of linoleic acid (typically around 55–62% of total fatty acids), with oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids as minor constituents, and an iodine value indicating high unsaturation; these parameters favor cosmetic emollient properties and stability. Fruit pulp contains water‑soluble carbohydrates (low to moderate sugar) and organic acids, which affect sensory attributes of beverages.

Standards and regulation:
Where marketed as food, products must comply with national food regulations of the jurisdiction of sale; in the United States, dragon fruit is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) as a conventional food under 21 CFR §182.1, subject to GMPs and labeling. Cosmetic ingredient use must comply with the applicable regulatory framework of the market.

Sustainability and sourcing:
Commercial supply relies on orchard-grown production, with minor by-products including peel and seeds that may be utilized as animal feed or for seed oil recovery. Fruit is transported as fresh produce (often under refrigeration) or processed locally to minimize postharvest losses.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Cereus tricostatus Rol.-Goss. in Bull. Soc. Bot. France 54: 664. 1908.
Cereus undatus Haw. in Philos. Mag. Ann. Chem. 7: 110. 1830.
Hylocereus undatus (Haw.) Britton & Rose Fl. Bermuda: 256. 1918.
Hylocereus tricostatus (Rol.-Goss.) Britton & Rose in Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 12: 429. 1909.
Hylocereus undatus subsp. luteocarpus Cálix de Dios in Haseltonia 11: 12. 2005.
Selenicereus undatus subsp. luteocarpus (Cálix de Dios) M.H.J.van der Meer Cact. Phantast. 2019(8)-1: 1 (2019)

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
English hylocereus undatus
Spanish cereus undatus
Spanish hylocereus undatus
Arabic تصنيف:سيرس ثلاثي التضليع
Arabic شمعية خشبية مموجة الجوانب
Estonian maasik-metskaktus
Finnish tarhametsäkaktus
French hylocereus undatus
Hungarian hullámos kúszókaktusz
Italian hylocereus undatus
Italian categoria:hylocereus undatus
Korean 흰용과
Malayalam സെലെനിസെറിയസ് അണ്ടറ്റസ്
Swedish röd pitahaya
Turkish hylocereus undatus
Chinese 火龙果
Chinese 白肉火龍果
Chinese 量天尺

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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No forms added yet.

Germination/Propagation Top

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No germination or propagation data was added yet.

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Africa
    • Macaronesia
      • Canary Islands
      • Cape Verde
      • Madeira
    • Middle Atlantic Ocean
      • Saint Helena
    • Northern Africa
      • Tunisia
    • Southern Africa
      • Cape Provinces
      • Kwazulu-Natal
      • Northern Provinces
    • Western Indian Ocean
      • Comoros
      • Mauritius
      • Réunion
  • Asia-temperate
    • China
      • China Southeast
      • Hainan
    • Eastern Asia
      • Taiwan
  • Asia-tropical
    • Indian Subcontinent
      • Bangladesh
    • Indo-China
      • Cambodia
      • Vietnam
  • Europe
    • Southeastern Europe
      • Sicilia
    • Southwestern Europe
      • Sardegna
  • Northern America
    • Mexico
      • Mexico Central
      • Mexico Gulf
      • Mexico Northeast
      • Mexico Southeast
      • Mexico Southwest
    • Southeastern U.S.A.
      • Florida
  • Pacific
    • North-central Pacific
      • Hawaii
    • Southwestern Pacific
      • New Caledonia
      • Niue
      • Vanuatu
  • Southern America
    • Brazil
      • Brazil Northeast
      • Brazil South
      • Brazil Southeast
    • Caribbean
      • Bahamas
      • Bermuda
      • Cuba
      • Dominican Republic
      • Leeward Islands
      • Puerto Rico
      • Windward Islands
    • Central America
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
      • Honduras
    • Western South America
      • Colombia

Links to other databases Top

Suggest others/fix!
Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0001434109
Florida Plant Atlas 1802
Tropicos 100470625
INPN 886312
Flora of Italy 9848
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77163184-1
NCBI Taxonomy 176265
IPNI 77163184-1
iNaturalist 1038928
GBIF 10334868
Wikipedia Selenicereus_undatus
Open Tree Of Life 334881

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

Below is displayed the reference genome only!
If you wish to browse all genomes for this plant click here.
Accession Assembly
Name Level Submitter Released Coverage Size
GCA_017589665.1 ASM1758966v1 Scaffold UNL 2021-03-26 6171.67 1.24 Gb

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
Identification and validation of stable reference genes for RT-qPCR analyses of Kobresia littledalei seedlings Sun H, Li C, Li S, Ma J, Li S, Li X, Gao C, Yang R, Ma N, Yang J, Yang P, He X, Hu T BMC Plant Biol 11-May-2024
PMCID:PMC11088182
doi:10.1186/s12870-024-04924-w
PMID:38730341
Effect of Cricket Frass Fertilizer on growth and pod production of green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Andrianorosoa Ony C, Solofondranohatra CL, Ramiadantsoa T, Ravelomanana A, Ramanampamonjy R. N, Hugel S, Fisher BL PLoS One 09-May-2024
PMCID:PMC11081369
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0303080
PMID:38722876
Synergistic Inhibition of Synbiotic Cultures among Lactobacilli and Plant Extracts against Vaginal Discharge Causing Candida albicans Sookkhee S, Khamnoi P, Sastraruji T, Boonkum S, Wikan N, Nimlamool W Nutrients 30-Apr-2024
PMCID:PMC11085874
doi:10.3390/nu16091372
PMID:38732618
Advances in the Understanding of Postharvest Physiological Changes and the Storage and Preservation of Pitaya Wang X, Chen J, Luo D, Ba L Foods 24-Apr-2024
PMCID:PMC11083964
doi:10.3390/foods13091307
PMID:38731681
Dietary Sources, Stabilization, Health Benefits, and Industrial Application of Anthocyanins—A Review Saini RK, Khan MI, Shang X, Kumar V, Kumari V, Kesarwani A, Ko EY Foods 17-Apr-2024
PMCID:PMC11049351
doi:10.3390/foods13081227
PMID:38672900
Nutrition, phytochemical profiling, in vitro biological activities, and in silico studies of South Chinese white pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) Asghar A, Shahid M, Gang P, Khan NA, Fang Q, Xinzheng L Heliyon 16-Apr-2024
PMCID:PMC11053203
doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29491
PMID:38681612
Comparative Analysis of Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Pectin from Extracted Dragon Fruit Waste by Different Techniques Du H, Olawuyi IF, Said NS, Lee WY Polymers (Basel) 15-Apr-2024
PMCID:PMC11054079
doi:10.3390/polym16081097
PMID:38675016
A chromosome-level genome reveals genome evolution and molecular basis of anthraquinone biosynthesis in Rheum palmatum Zhang T, Zhou L, Pu Y, Tang Y, Liu J, Yang L, Zhou T, Feng L, Wang X BMC Plant Biol 10-Apr-2024
PMCID:PMC11005207
doi:10.1186/s12870-024-04972-2
PMID:38594606
Single-cell and spatial RNA sequencing reveal the spatiotemporal trajectories of fruit senescence Li X, Li B, Gu S, Pang X, Mason P, Yuan J, Jia J, Sun J, Zhao C, Henry R Nat Commun 10-Apr-2024
PMCID:PMC11006883
doi:10.1038/s41467-024-47329-x
PMID:38600080
Overexpression of a Fragaria vesca NAM, ATAF, and CUC (NAC) Transcription Factor Gene (FvNAC29) Increases Salt and Cold Tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana Li W, Li H, Wei Y, Han J, Wang Y, Li X, Zhang L, Han D Int J Mol Sci 06-Apr-2024
PMCID:PMC11012600
doi:10.3390/ijms25074088
PMID:38612898
Chitosan nanoparticle and its effect on Neoscytalidium novaehollandiae, the causal agent of mulberry canker in Tehran Mohammadi N, Safaie N, Nikkhah M, Moradi S Heliyon 26-Mar-2024
PMCID:PMC10999993
doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28666
PMID:38590881
A comparative study on biosynthesized silver nanoparticles from H. undatus fruit peel and their therapeutic applications Anguraj A, Michael HS, Sugumaran S, Madhusudhanan GR, Sivaraman RK Discov Nano 18-Mar-2024
PMCID:PMC10948681
doi:10.1186/s11671-024-03995-w
PMID:38499901
Therapeutic Potential of Pectin and Its Derivatives in Chronic Diseases Dambuza A, Rungqu P, Oyedeji AO, Miya G, Oriola AO, Hosu YS, Oyedeji OO Molecules 18-Feb-2024
PMCID:PMC10892547
doi:10.3390/molecules29040896
PMID:38398646
The Cissus quadrangularis genome reveals its adaptive features in an arid habitat Li Q, Wang Y, Zhou H, Liu Y, Gichuki DK, Hou Y, Zhang J, Aryal R, Hu G, Wan T, Amenu SG, Gituru RW, Xin H, Wang Q Hortic Res 02-Feb-2024
PMCID:PMC11001597
doi:10.1093/hr/uhae038
PMID:38595910
Energy harvesting from plants using hybrid microbial fuel cells; potential applications and future exploitation Greenman J, Thorn R, Willey N, Ieropoulos I Front Bioeng Biotechnol 31-Jan-2024
PMCID:PMC10865378
doi:10.3389/fbioe.2024.1276176
PMID:38357705

Phytochemical Profile Top

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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
Name PubChem ID Canonical SMILES MW Found in Proof
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Hydroxy fatty acids
(+-)-Citramalic acid 1081 Click to see 148.11 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10286020.2011.586944
(2R)-2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-2-methyl-4-oxobutanoic acid 131231413 Click to see 162.14 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10286020.2011.586944
(3R)-3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-3-methyl-4-oxobutanoic acid 131231414 Click to see CC(CC(=O)O)(C(=O)OC)O 162.14 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10286020.2011.586944
Citramalic acid, (-)- 439766 Click to see 148.11 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10286020.2011.586944
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Saccharolipids
(3S)-3-hydroxy-3-methyl-5-oxo-5-[[(2R,3S,4S,5R,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(2-phenylethoxy)oxan-2-yl]methoxy]pentanoic acid 95789842 Click to see 428.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10286020.2011.586944
(3S)-3-hydroxy-3-methyl-5-oxo-5-[[(2R,3S,4S,5R,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-phenylmethoxyoxan-2-yl]methoxy]pentanoic acid 38363084 Click to see 414.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10286020.2011.586944
1-O-methyl 5-O-[[(2R,3S,4S,5R,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-phenylmethoxyoxan-2-yl]methyl] (3S)-3-hydroxy-3-methylpentanedioate 162898699 Click to see 428.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10286020.2011.586944
> Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Amino acids, peptides, and analogues / Alpha amino acids and derivatives / Alpha amino acids
Betaine 247 Click to see 117.15 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2006.10.002
> Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Hexacarboxylic acids and derivatives
(2S)-4-[(E)-2-[(2S)-2-carboxy-5-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-6-[(2-carboxyacetyl)oxymethyl]-3-[(2S,3R,4S)-3,4-dihydroxy-4-[[(E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]oxymethyl]oxolan-2-yl]oxy-4,5-dihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-6-hydroxy-2,3-dihydroindol-1-yl]ethenyl]-2,3-dihydropyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid 162962184 Click to see 944.80 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2006.10.002
> Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Pentacarboxylic acids and derivatives
(2S)-4-[(E)-2-[(2S)-2-carboxy-5-[(2S,3R,4R,5S,6R)-5-(2-carboxyacetyl)oxy-3,4-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-6-hydroxy-2,3-dihydroindol-1-yl]ethenyl]-2,3-dihydropyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid 162821393 Click to see 636.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2006.10.002
(2S)-4-[(E)-2-[(2S)-2-carboxy-5-[(2S,3R,4S,5R,6R)-6-[(2-carboxyacetyl)oxymethyl]-3-[(2S,3R,4R)-3,4-dihydroxy-4-(hydroxymethyl)oxolan-2-yl]oxy-4,5-dihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-6-hydroxy-2,3-dihydroindol-1-yl]ethenyl]-2,3-dihydropyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid 162856886 Click to see 768.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYTOCHEM.2006.10.002
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / O-glycosyl compounds
2-(Hydroxymethyl)-6-phenylmethoxyoxane-3,4,5-triol 4984739 Click to see 270.28 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10286020.2011.586944
2-phenylethyl beta-D-glucopyranoside 468284 Click to see 284.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10286020.2011.586944
Benzyl beta-d-glucopyranoside 188977 Click to see 270.28 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10286020.2011.586944
Phenylethyl beta-D-glucopyranoside 11289099 Click to see C1=CC=C(C=C1)CCOC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O 284.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10286020.2011.586944
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Phenylketones / Alkyl-phenylketones
1-(3,5-Dihydroxyphenyl)nonan-1-one 49778007 Click to see 250.33 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10286020.2011.586944
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Coumaric acids and derivatives
3,4-Dimethoxycinnamic acid 717531 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C=CC(=O)O)OC 208.21 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10286020.2011.586944
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids
3-(4-Hydroxy-3-Methoxyphenyl)Prop-2-Enoic Acid 709 Click to see 194.18 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10286020.2011.586944
Ferulic Acid 445858 Click to see 194.18 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10286020.2011.586944
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Flavanones / Flavanonols
(+/-)-Taxifolin 471 Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)O)O)O 304.25 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10286020.2011.586944
3,5,7-Trihydroxy-2-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)Chroman-4-One 662 Click to see 288.25 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10286020.2011.586944
Aromadendrin 122850 Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)O)O 288.25 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10286020.2011.586944
Taxifolin 439533 Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)O)O)O 304.25 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10286020.2011.586944
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides
Kaempferol 3-neohesperidoside 5318761 Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(C(C(OC2OC3=C(OC4=CC(=CC(=C4C3=O)O)O)C5=CC=C(C=C5)O)CO)O)O)O)O)O 594.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10286020.2011.586944
Kaempferol-3-O-glucorhamnoside 13915496 Click to see 594.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10286020.2011.586944
Rutin 5280805 Click to see 610.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10286020.2011.586944
Vitamin P 5293655 Click to see 610.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10286020.2011.586944

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