Fuchsia

About 100; see text

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Fuchsia is a genus of flowering plants, mostly shrubs, which were identified by Charles Plumier in the late 17th century, and named after the German botanist Leonhart Fuchs (1501-1566). The English vernacular name Fuchsia is the same as the scientific name.

Related Topics:
Genus - Plant - Shrub - Charles Plumier - German - Leonhart Fuchs

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There are about 100-110 species of Fuchsia. The great majority are native to South America, but with a few occurring north through Central America to Mexico, and also several on New Zealand and Tahiti. One species, Fuchsia magellanica, extends as far as the southern tip of South America on Tierra del Fuego in the cool temperate zone, but the majority are tropical or subtropical. Most fuchsias are shrubs from 0.2-4 m tall, but one New Zealand species, Kotukutuku (Fuchsia excorticata), is unusual in the genus in being a tree, growing up to 12-15 m tall.

Related Topics:
South America - Central America - Mexico - New Zealand - Tahiti - Tierra del Fuego - Temperate - Tropical - Subtropical - Kotukutuku - Tree

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Fuchsia leaves are opposite or in whorls of 3-5, simple lanceolate and usually have serrated margins (entire in some species), 1-25 cm long, and can be either deciduous or evergreen depending on the species. The flowers are very decorative pendulous 'eardrop' shape, borne in profusion throughout the summer and autumn, and all year in tropical species. They have four long, slender, sepals and four shorter, broader, petals; in many species the sepals are bright red and the petals purple (colours that attract the hummingbirds that pollinate them), but the colours can vary from white to dark red, purple-blue, and orange. A few have yellowish tones. The fruit is an small (5-25 mm) dark reddish green to red edible berry containing numerous very small seeds.

Related Topics:
Leaves - Deciduous - Evergreen - Flower - Hummingbird - Fruit - Berry

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;Selected species

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