Hylocereus
Hylocereus is a former genus of epiphytic cacti, often referred to as night-blooming cactus (though the term is also used for many other cacti). Several species previously placed in the genus have large edible fruits, which are known as pitayas, pitahayas or dragonfruits. In 2017, a molecular phylogenetic study confirmed an earlier finding that the genus "Hylocereus" was nested within "Selenicereus", so all the species of "Hylocereus" were transferred to "Selenicereus". Description. The species previously placed in the genus "Hylocereus" grow hanging, climbing or epiphytic. They are freely branched, shrubby plants that form aerial roots and become very  large with a height of 10 m or more. The green, often glaucous shoots are usually terete or triangular. Taxonomy. In the 1994 classification of the International Cactaceae Systematics Group of the International Organization for Succulent Plant Study, the genus "Hylocereus" was one of the six genera of the tribe Hylocereeae. A 2011 study of the molecular phylogeny of the Cactaceae concluded that neither the tribe nor the genus was monophyletic (i.e. neither comprised all the descendants of a common ancestor). Two species of "Hylocereus" formed a clade with two species of "Selenicereus", suggesting that the genera were not distinct . This result was confirmed in a larger study in 2017, and all the species of "Hylocereus" were transferred to "Selenicereus". Species. Species that were placed in the genus in 2012 that are now placed in "Selenicereus" include the following.