Fuchsia denticulata
Ruiz. & Pav.
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Summary
Source: WikipediaFuchsia denticulata is a species of shrub in the family Onagraceae. It is native to Bolivia and Peru.
Description
An erect twining shrub. It grows to 2.4 m high. It can grow 4.5 m high. The bark comes off in strips. The leaves are large and up to 15 cm long. They are in rings of 3 or 4. The leaves are narrowly oval or sword shaped. They have teeth along the edge and are pointed at the tip. The flowers grow from the axils of the leaves. The flowers form long tubes. The petals are bright red and the sepals fade to cream and green at the tips. The fruit are glossy and green to purple-red.
Edible Uses
The fruit is eaten raw and is a juicy berry with a pleasant, slightly acid flavour. Individual fruits can grow up to 25mm long and 12mm wide.
Medicinal Uses
None known.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It suit hardiness zones 9-11.
Where It Grows
Australia, Bolivia, Peru, South America,
Cultivation
Succeeds in any fertile well-drained circum-neutral soil. Succeeds in a good loam if sand and leafmold are added. This species is frost-tender in Britain, though it can succeed in a cold greenhouse. It might succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the country, especially if given the protection of a wall. Another report says that it is totally intolerant of frost, though we feel that this might be a misprint. 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. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. A good bee plant. This species has a long tubular flower and is pollinated by humming birds in the wild.
Propagation
Sow seed as soon as it is ripe, though spring sowing is also possible. Surface sow in pots in a warm greenhouse, keeping the compost consistently moist. Germination should occur within 6 weeks. Prick seedlings out into individual pots once large enough to handle and grow on under glass for at least the first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Inter-nodal greenwood cuttings 5–8cm long taken in May/June root quickly and easily with a high success rate. Overwinter rooted cuttings under glass in their first year before planting out. Inter-nodal half-ripe wood cuttings taken in July/August are equally straightforward — treat as for greenwood cuttings. Cuttings generally root successfully at any point during the growing season.
Other Uses
None known.
Notes
There are about 100 Fuchsia species.
Synonyms
References (9)
- Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 616
- Etherington, K., & Imwold, D., (Eds), 2001, Botanica's Trees & Shrubs. The illustrated A-Z of over 8500 trees and shrubs. Random House, Australia. p 337
- Flowerdew, B., 2000, Complete Fruit Book. Kyle Cathie Ltd., London. p 173
- Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 321
- Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 104
Show all 9 references Hide references
- Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 377
- Martin, F.W., C.W. Campbell and R.M. Ruberté, 1987, Perennial edible fruits of the tropics - An inventory. United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Agriculture Handbook No. 642. Washington, D.C., USA
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- Young, J., (Ed.), 2001, Botanica's Pocket Trees and Shrubs. Random House. p 397
