This species is closely related to Fuchsia corymbiflora[].

Common Name:

General Information

Fuchsia boliviana is a fast-growing, erect evergreen shrub or a small tree with arching, pendulous branches, it can grow 3.5 - 6 metres tall with a bole up to 5cm in diameter[]. Plants are evergreen so long as the temperature remains above 4°c[].
A traditional fruit crop of the Inca empire, it is still cultivated as a magic plant in Peru, where the edible fruit is commonly gathered from the wild[]. A very ornamental plant, it is commonly grown in gardens[].
Often grown as an ornamental, the plant has escaped from cultivation in areas such as New Zealand and Hawaii, where it has invaded local ecosystems[]. The plant tends to dominate native plant species - the dense foliage of large stands intercept the light, limiting the development of native understory species[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America - southern Peru, through Bolivia to northern Argentina

Habitat

Grows in cool mossy forests in the Andes at elevations from 1,800 - 3,000 metres[, ]. Cloud forest in moist thickets, at elevations from 600 - 3,000 metres[].

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

A plant of higher elevations in the tropics, where it is found from 600 - 3,000 metres[], it is also grown at lower elevations in the subtropics and warm temperate areas. Plants can withstand occasional short-lived frosts with temperatures down to about -3°c[]. Plants can succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of Britain if they are given the protection of a wall[]. A plant in a sheltered wall garden at Trengwainton in Cornwall was 2 metres tall and flowering very freely in August 1995, though there was little fruit set[].
Succeeds in any fertile well-drained circum-neutral soil[]. Requires a good open humus-rich soil and a moist partially shady position in the summer[, ]. Plants can tolerate full sunlight[]. Plants can survive short periods of drought[].
Plants are very susceptible to whitefly when grown in a greenhouse[].
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 can flower through most of the year when growing in areas with warm winters[].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].
A good bee plant[]. This species has a long tubular flower and is pollinated by humming birds in the wild[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[, , ]. A juicy berry[], it has a sweetish taste[, ]. The fruit is said to possess mild narcotic properties[]. A pleasant flavour[]. The fruit can be up to 25mm long and 14mm 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.
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[].