Common Name:

General Information

Fuchsia corymbiflora is a erect or climbing, deciduous shrub growing 1 - 4 metres tall[, ].
The edible fruit is gathered from the wild for local consumption. The plant is often grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America - Peru

Habitat

Amongst moist shrubs or along the banks of streams in elevated cloud forests at elevations from 1,500 - 2,850 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	3.60 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Fuchsia corymbiflora requires a minimum winter temperature of 5°c in order to succeed, it does well in a cool conservatory[, ]. Plants have survived outdoors on our trial ground in Cornwall (hardiness zone 8) since 1992, with no losses even in colder winters. The plants die down in late autumn and will start to regrow during mild spells in the winter and spring. This new growth is usually killed by the next period of cold weather, but this does not seem to cause lasting damage, the plants growing away well in late spring. It is a good idea to apply a good mulch of organic matter as soon as the plant dies down, so that the roots are protected from any periods of severe cold[].
Succeeds in any fertile well-drained circum-neutral soil[]. Requires a moist position[]. Prefers semi-shade and a sheltered site[]. Succeeds in a good loam if leafmold and sand are added[].
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[].
A good bee plant[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw. A juicy berry[], it tastes of ripe figs[, ]. Very pleasant eating, it does not have the after-taste that many fuchsia fruits have[]. The fruit can be up to 12mm long and 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.
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[].
Plants have a tuberous root system and produce suckers. These can be removed and potted up at any time during the growing season. Keep them in a greenhouse for at least their first winter[].