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Harrisia pomanensis. PHOTO: LINDA ROBERTSON When you wander through the cactus and succulent house of the winter garden, you might be surprised to see a long trailing cactus bearing red fruits.

The baseball-sized fruit is distinctive with its red skin and scaly spikes. When opened, it reveals a firm white flesh with black seeds. You may believe you have spotted a dragon fruit, one of the lovely exotic fruits you can buy in the supermarket.

However, in this case what you have seen is an apple cactus or midnight lady, scientifically called Harrisia pomanensis. The real dragon fruit is another species of cactus, Selenicereus undatus.

Harrisia and Selenicereus are both types of climbing and night-blooming cactus but native to different regions.

Harrisia is primarily native to South America, whereas Selenicereus comes from Mexico and Central America.

Just as their common names suggest, the moonlight or midnight lady cactus bloom with gorgeous, sweet-smelling flowers during the evening — for one night only. These night flowers are often white and very fragrant, essential to attract night-time flying pollinators such as moths and bats.

The winter garden is home to a healthy specimen of Harrisia pomanensis. Although we cannot witness the beauty of the flowers that bloom at night, during the day we can enjoy the eye-catching fruits.

Garden Life is produced by Dunedin Botanic Garden. For further information contact Ben Xie.