Common Name:

General Information

Fuchsia coccinea is a deciduous shrub that can vary in habit according to its habitat. In open, exposed positions it is generally a compact plant 50 - 150cm tall, but when growing in sheltered woodland it can adopt a more climbing habit with stems up to 7 metres long[].
The edible fruit is gathered fro the wild and consumed locally. The plant is also often grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

S. America - Brazil.

Habitat

Occurs in rocky, open campo near the summits of several of the highest mountains in Minas Gerais, at elevations from 1,400 - 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	3.50 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees, Humming birds, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in any fertile well-drained circum-neutral soil[]. Requires a good soil and a moist shady position in the summer[].
Fuchsia species flower and fruit mainly on new wood produced in the same growing season. Any pruning, therefore, is best carried out at the start of the growing season, cutting out old wood in order to encourage vigorous new growth[].
A fast-growing plant[].
This species is a parent of many of the hardy fuchsia hybrids[].
Plants can flower throughout the year, but mainly in the summer[].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].
A good bee plant[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. A juicy berry with small seeds that can be swallowed, it has a sweet and very pleasant flavour with no hint of any unpleasant aftertaste[]. It is one of our favourite fuchsia fruits[]. The ellipsoid fruit can be up to 17mm long[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe[] though stored seed can also be used. Surface sow the seed in a semi-shaded position in a seed tray, gently pressing the seed into the compost, and do not allow the compost to dry out[]. 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 until large enough to plant out.
Inter-nodal cuttings of greenwood, 5 - 8cm long in a frame. Quick and easy, a high percentage take[, ].
Inter-nodal cuttings of half-ripe wood in a frame. Very quick and easy, treat as greenwood cuttings above[].
Cuttings usually succeed at any time during the growing season[].

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: what is lesser, 17 or 71?