Common Name:

General Information

Fuchsia microphylla is a rather variable plant. Usually an erect, deciduous shrub growing 100 - 250cm tall, in a shady woodland it can adopt a more climbing habit with stems up to 500cm long, whilst in more exposed situations it can be low and prostrate or nearly so[, ].
The edible fruits are often gathered from wild plants for local use, whilst the plant is also often grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

C. America - Panama. Costa Rica, Nicaragua, north to central Mexico.

Habitat

Open places in oak and pine woods in Hidalgo. Mexico, Michoacan and Jalisco Counties[]. Mostly in dense, moist or wet, mixed forest, sometimes in low thickets or in exposed rocky places at elevations of 1,200 - 3,800 metres in Guatemala[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	1.80 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of moderate to higher elevations in the tropics, also succeeding in subtropical climates and the warmer regions of the temperate zone. Plants are not very cold-hardy, tolerating occasional temperatures down to about -3°c without damage[]. If top growth is killed back by frost, the plant will often resprout from the base so long as the winter is mild[]. A plant at Heligan gardens in Cornwall, England (hardiness zone 8) is thriving and fruiting well in the fairly deep shade of a woodland garden[]. Another specimen, growing in a sheltered position outside a greenhouse at Oxford Botanical Gardens (hardiness zone 6 - 7) seems to be hardy there[]. Since Oxford experiences lots of frosts and usually some snow in the winter, this suggests that it is possible to grow this species in many parts of Britain, especially if grown against a wall[].
Succeeds in any fertile well-drained circum-neutral soil[]. Succeeds in a good loam if sand and leafmold are added[]. Plants grow best in cool summer conditions with good light[].
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 gynodioecious species with some plants producing only female flowers and others producing hermaphrodite flowers[]. Gynodioecy occurs as a result of a genetic mutation that inhibits a hermaphroditic plant from producing pollen, while keeping the female reproductive parts intact.
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].
A good bee plant[].
A polymorphic species, a number of sub-species are recognised[].



This species is not very cold-hardy, []. It could possibly be grown outdoors in the milder areas of the country, especially if given the protection of a woodland or a wall[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. A small, round, black berry about 5mm in diameter, it is juicy with a reasonable flavour but rather a fiddle to pick[]. The fruit can be up to 1.5cm in diameter according to one report[], but this is much larger than we have ever seen it[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe[] though it can also be sown in the spring[]. Surface sow the seed in pots in a warm greenhouse 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 in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Inter-nodal cuttings of greenwood, 5 - 8cm long, May/early summer in a frame. Quick and easy, a high percentage take[, ]. Overwinter in the greenhouse for the first year and plant out after the last expected frosts.
Inter-nodal cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame. Very quick and easy, treat as greenwood cuttings above[].
Cuttings usually succeed at any time during the growing season[].