Published: October 27, 2009 03:05 pm      

Consumer Q’s

Prepared by the Office of Public Affairs

Georgia Department of Agriculture

Tommy Irvin, Commissioner

www.agr.georgia.gov





Q. I saw an interesting and exotic-looking item called a dragon fruit at the grocery store. What exactly is a dragon fruit?

A. Dragon fruit, sometimes known as “pitaya,” is a common name for a fruit that grows on several species of tropical cactuses. Dragon fruits are often red, pink or fuchsia on the outside with white flesh on the inside with small, edible, black seeds. It has a very striking appearance inside and out. Some dragon fruits have yellow skin or red flesh. The fruits have a mild, sweet taste and can be eaten fresh (without skin) or converted into various juices or teas. The fruits are grown commercially in Central and South America, South Asia and Australia.



Q. I want to plant some bulbs this fall for spring color, but I want something different – not just yellow daffodils or red tulips. Any suggestions?

A. There are many less common bulbs that perform well in Georgia such as galanthus, camassia, muscari, ipheion, alliums, scilla, dichelostemma or triteleia. But don’t write off daffodils and tulips. They offer more variety than you may think. How about green tulips such as ‘Deirdre’ or ‘Spring Green’ or tulips so dark they are a deep chocolate purple? How about pink-cupped daffodils, white daffodils or hoop petticoat daffodils? Spring-flowering bulbs are in garden centers now. You can also check out the many varieties of bulbs available from mail-order catalogs. Many of these companies have Web sites so you don’t even have to wait to receive their catalog – just place your order online.



Q. Can I eat mushrooms that sprout in my yard?

A. If you are not sure a mushroom is safe, don’t eat it. Some common mushrooms are poisonous or even deadly. Study, take classes, go on field trips with mycologists or mushroom experts and become a member of the Mushroom Club of Georgia (www.gamushroomclub.org/index.html). Mushrooms are fascinating, and foraging for them and cultivating them can be rewarding. However, until you are sure of the identity of a mushroom, you should not eat it.