Practical
Plants

Fuchsia excorticata

Konini

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Fuchsia
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
10 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

Fruit - raw or cooked in pies, tarts, cakes, desserts etc[13][8][9]. Juicy[3]. A juicy berry[K], it is sweet but astringent[6]. A unique flavour, they are best combined with potato flour or corn starch in order to temper the slight astringency[9]. Sap - sweet. Obtained by cutting a length of branch and sucking out the sap, it is not freely produced however[8].

Plant part
Fruit
Plant part
Sap

Material uses

A purple dye is obtained from the plant (the part is not specified, though it is likely to be the pollen). It makes a good ink[8]. The pollen is bright blue and was used by the Maoris as a face powder[15][8]. Wood - very strong and durable with an attractive grain, but hard to work. Used for making small items[4].

Product or use
Cosmetic
Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Ink
Product or use
Wood

Environment

Range
New Zealand.
Habitat
Lowlands and lower montane forests, along forest edges, streams and shady gullies on North, South, Stewart and Chatham Islands[14].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe[11] though it can also be sown in the spring[1]. Surface sow the seed in pots in a warm greenhouse and do not allow the compost to dry out[11]. Germination should take place in less than 6 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Inter-nodal cuttings of greenwood, 5 - 8cm long, May/June in a frame. Quick and easy, a high percentage take[78, K]. Overwinter in the greenhouse for the first year and plant out after the last expected frosts. Inter-nodal cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Very quick and easy, treat as greenwood cuttings above[K]. Cuttings usually succeed at any time during the growing season[K].

Cultivation

Succeeds in any fertile well-drained circum-neutral soil, preferring one that is rich in humus[1][11]. Prefers semi-shade and a sheltered position[1][5]. Does well in woodland conditions[7]. This species is only hardy in the mildest parts of Britain[3][15], tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c when fully dormant. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K]. It grows well outdoors in Cornwall and along the west coast of Scotland[16][10]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[12]. A good bee plant[2]. A very unusual plant in that its pollen is bright blue[8].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. 1981-00-00

    ↩

  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Laing. and Blackwell. Plants of New Zealand. Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd 1907-00-00

    ↩

  5. Bryan. J. and Castle. C. Edible Ornamental Garden. Pitman Publishing 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-273-00098-5

    ↩

  6. Brooker. S. G., Cambie. R. C. and Cooper. R. C. Economic Native Plants of New Zealand. Oxford University Press 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-19-558229-2

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  7. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

    ↩

  8. Crowe. A. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-340-508302

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  9. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  10. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩

  11. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  12. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  13. Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7

    ↩

  14. Allan. H. H. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer, Wellington. 1961-00-00

    ↩

  15. Boullemier. L. The Checklist of Species, Hybrids and Cultivars of the Genus Fuschia. Blandford Press 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-7137-1781-5

    ↩1↩2

  16. Thurston. Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall.

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