Trees Planet: Fuchsia excorticata

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Fuchsia excorticata – Tree Fuchsia

General Information

Common Name	Tree Fuchsia
Scientific Name	Fuchsia excorticata
Sun Tolerance	Full Sun
Height	up to 15 m (up to 50 ft)
Spread	3 - 5 m (10 - 16 ft)
Growth Rate	Medium
Bloom Time	Winter
Color	Green,
Flower Color	Violet, Pink
Type	Tree
Native	New Zealand

Classification

Kingdom	Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision	Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division	Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class	Magnoliopsida - Dicotyledons
Subclass	Rosidae
Order	Myrtales
Family	Onagraceae - Evening Primrose Family
Genus	Fuchsia L. – Fuchsia
Species	F. excofticata

Fuchsia excorticata – Tree Fuchsia

Fuchsia excorticata, commonly known as Tree Fuchsia also known as New Zealand Fuchsia is native to New Zealand. It is commonly found throughout New Zealand and as far south as the Auckland Islands.

F. excorticata is the largest member of the genus Fuchsia. It is growing up to 15 m (50 ft) in height and trunk diameter up to 1 m (3.3 ft). It is distinguishable by an unusually light brown or orange bark, which is highly thin and paper like, peeling in strips. It is unusual among New Zealand trees being deciduous in the southern part of its range, losing its leaves in winter in all but the warmest areas.

The leaves of this species include slim petioles, the join being nearly 1 – 4 cm (0.4 – 1.8 in) long. The leaves tend to be approximately 10 mm and ranging from 1.5 – 3 (0.5 – 1.4 in) wind, tend to form an oblong shape with a rounded base. Leaves have a smooth epidermis with the anomaly on the margin and veins. Its margin is serrated with small teeth, color of above generally being dark green and the bellow being paler and more silver.

The attractive, small flowers appear between August and December. They gradually change from greenish-yellow to purple-red. Flowers are solitary and pendulous with an average of 3-4 petals that extend to a point. The flower base generally redder in color before extending into rich petals. The Petals of the flowers are 2 – 5 mm long. The flowers are rich in nectar and are visited by honey-eating birds, especially tui, bellbirds and silvereyes.

The berries range to nearly 10 mm long, ellipsoid-oblong shaped, color is dark purple to almost black. The berry is sweet, juicy and delicious to eat. It is one of the possum’s preferred food sources. Maori named the berry Konini and on the West Coast of the South Island the plant is known by this name. It makes a sweet tasty jam. It was also eaten by European settlers in jams and puddings. It also plant as ornamental flowering plant.