Pitaya is a cactus with long "branches" that can grow up to 6-12 meters and have a creeping or drooping habit. The plant, native to the Americas and well known to pre-Columbian civilizations, forms aerial roots with which it is able to attach itself to other trees or rocks. The flowers are greenish-white, about 25-30 cm long and between 15 and 20 cm in diameter: they produce nectar to attract pollinators and give off a strong vanilla scent during flowering. Pitaya flowers bloom at sunset and close during the day, which is why the plant is also called Queen of the Night. The Pitaya fruit is 5 to 12 cm long with a diameter of 4 to 9 cm, its color varies from deep pink to red, with broad greenish bracts. Its unusual and showy appearance has earned it the nickname Dragon Fruit and makes it particularly decorative. The pulp inside the fruit is generally white or red in color with numerous very small black seeds, which are edible. The flesh is soft in texture and has a sweet and delicate taste: of pleasant fragrance, it is very watery, has an excellent nutritional composition and is very rich in vitamin C.