Comparing Dragonfruit and Kiwi

Dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus) and Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) come from two very different plants and yet they are bizarrely similar in terms of appearance, texture, and taste. Both fruits have tough exteriors that prevent frugivores from accessing them easily. Dragon fruit has broad spiky projections on its exterior that provides some protection to the fruit. The Kiwi also has protection in the form of fuzzy hairs on the skin of the fruit that make it difficult for fruit flies and other small insects to get at the interior of the fruit.

Both the Kiwi and the Dragon fruit are also adapted to handle high levels of sunlight. As a member of the cactus family it is not surprising that Dragon fruit are comfortable in the sun. They thrive in the dry climate of the Sonoran Desert where they originated. Native Americans that occupied the region the region found them to be a highly useful source of food. Dragon fruit has since become very popular in Asian fruit markets making some people mistake it for a native Asian species. Kiwis are actually from Asia, the Yangtze Valley specifically. They are a climbing vine that requires other trees for support. They require high levels of water but the soil must also drain well. One of the reasons that Dragon fruit do not require much water is because members of the Cactaceae family have CAM photosynthesis. They open their stomata at night allowing them to gather CO2 when heat is at a minimum and the plant is less likely to lose water. The plant store the CO2 until daytime when it is allowed to enter the Krebs cycle via Rubisco.

Another adaptation that Kiwis and Dragon fruit both possess is that they use animals for pollination. Kiwi have large fragrant flowers that attract pollinators such as bees. Dragon fruit flowers only bloom at night meaning that they are dependent on moths and bats for pollination. Their flowers can weigh up to ten pounds.

Dragon fruit has an engaging name and an exotic look but its taste certainly does not match. It has one of the blandest tastes of any fruit I have tried. The flesh of the fruit is bright white and has a soft texture that resembles Kiwi, with the taste of diluted sugar water. That said it does not taste bad, but simply unexciting. One expects more out of a plant that has been named the prettiest cacti on the planet. The dragon fruit plant is quite absurd looking. It looks like a miniature cactus version of a palm tree. The dragon fruit itself is bright pink. What Kiwi lacks stature it makes up for in taste. The Kiwi fruit has green flesh that is much more flavorful than Dragon fruit. However, it does get bitter towards the center. Both have small black seeds but Dragon fruit has its seeds dispersed throughout the flesh while they are all in the center of the flesh for Kiwi.

Dragon fruit and Kiwi are used in similar ways. They flavor ice-cream, yogurt, and smoothies, or are eaten by themselves. Dragon fruit can also be used for tea or wine.

Dragon fruit and Kiwi are both interesting fruits to me. I definitely think that Kiwis taste better of the two. However, if one of each were placed in front of me right now I would rather eat the dragon fruit simply because I am not exposed to it as much. Also, I think somewhere in here I should mention that there have been cases of Dragon fruit causing urine discoloration. It is still harmless though.

Text Sources

http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2012/petrini_juli/adaptation.htm

http://itsnature.org/plant_life/trees-plants/pitaya/

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/should-water-vincent-kiwi-vine-57005.html

https://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/kiwifruit.html

http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2012/cejka_laur/adaptation.htm

Image Sources

https://www.notonthehighstreet.com/plantsfromseed/product/grow-your-own-dragon-fruit-plant-kit

http://www.gardenloversclub.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/dragon-fruit/dragon-fruit-plant-care/

https://www.thespruce.com/growing-kiwi-vines-in-your-landscape-3269410