Common Name:

General Information

Fuchsia alpestris is a deciduous, shrub growing 1 - 5 metres tall. The stems often hang over other plants for support[].
The edible fruit is sometimes gathered from the wild and consumed locally. The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Southern S. America - southern Brazil

Habitat

In thickets and low forest near granitic outcrops of several morros at elevations of 1,400 - 1,600 metres[]

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Humming birds, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of higher regions in the tropics, where it is found at elevations of 1,100 - 1,600 metres[]. The plant can also be grown in subtropical and warm temperate areas.
Succeeds in any fertile well-drained circum-neutral soil, preferring one that is rich in humus[, ]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers cool moist conditions and some shade[, ]. Succeeds in a good loam if leafmold and sand are added[].
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[].
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[].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or make into preserves etc[]. A sweet flavour, but with some aftertaste[]. A juicy berry with small seeds that can be swallowed[]. The purple, oblong fruit is 14 - 16mm long and 8 - 10mm wide[].

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. This is a cultivar and so will not breed true from seed, though this can be a good way of obtaining new fruiting forms.
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[].