Common Name: Brinco De Princesa

General Information

Brinco de princesa is a semi-deciduous shrub of variable habit. When growing in an open position, it is often a compact plant growing from 1.5 - 3 metres tall[, ]. When growing in the forest, however, it ca adopt a climbing habit with stems up to 15 metres long and 20cm in diameter[]. In such a habitat, it will often produce long, pendulous side branches several metres long[].
The edible fruits are sometimes gathered from the wild for local use, but they are not widely appreciated[]. The plant is often grown as an ornamental, being valued mainly for its flowers[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Brazil.

Habitat

Cloud forests[]. Ravines and edges of forests[], usually at elevations above 600 metres, and sometimes as high as 4,800 metres.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Shrub
Height	2.50 m
Pollinators	Humming birds, Bees, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of moderate elevations in the tropics and subtropics, where it is found at elevations from 700 - 2,400 metres[].

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[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. A sweet-tasting, succulent pulp[]. The fruits contain calcium oxalate crystals[]. The ellipsoid fruit is 10 - 27mm long and 9 - 13mm wide[].

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[].

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