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Fuchsia excorticata - (J.R.Forst.&G.Forst.)L.f.

Common Name Konini
Family Onagraceae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Lowlands and lower montane forests, along forest edges, streams and shady gullies on North, South, Stewart and Chatham Islands[44].
Range New Zealand.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Fuchsia excorticata Konini


Fuchsia excorticata Konini
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Tony_WillsFuchsia fulgens

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Fuchsia excorticata is a deciduous Shrub growing to 10 m (32ft 10in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Skinnera excorticata.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit  Sap
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked in pies, tarts, cakes, desserts etc[3, 173, 183]. Juicy[11]. A juicy berry[K], it is sweet but astringent[153]. A unique flavour, they are best combined with potato flour or corn starch in order to temper the slight astringency[183]. Sap - sweet. Obtained by cutting a length of branch and sucking out the sap, it is not freely produced however[173].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Cosmetic  Dye  Ink  Wood

A purple dye is obtained from the plant (the part is not specified, though it is likely to be the pollen). It makes a good ink[173]. The pollen is bright blue and was used by the Maoris as a face powder[48, 173]. Wood - very strong and durable with an attractive grain, but hard to work. Used for making small items[128].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any fertile well-drained circum-neutral soil, preferring one that is rich in humus[1, 200]. Prefers semi-shade and a sheltered position[1, 15]. Does well in woodland conditions[166]. This species is only hardy in the mildest parts of Britain[11, 48], tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c when fully dormant. 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[K]. It grows well outdoors in Cornwall and along the west coast of Scotland[59, 184]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. A good bee plant[108]. A very unusual plant in that its pollen is bright blue[173].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe[200] though it can also be sown in the spring[1]. Surface sow the seed in pots in a warm greenhouse and do not allow the compost to dry out[200]. 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/June in a frame. Quick and easy, a high percentage take[78, K]. Overwinter in the greenhouse for the first year and plant out after the last expected frosts. Inter-nodal cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Very quick and easy, treat as greenwood cuttings above[K]. Cuttings usually succeed at any time during the growing season[K].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

AUSTRALASIA: New Zealand

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Fuchsia alpestris Shrub2.0 9-11  LMHSNM00 
Fuchsia bolivianaBolivian fuchsiaShrub3.5 9-11 FLMHSNM300
Fuchsia coccineaScarlet fuchsiaShrub3.5 8-11 FLMHSNM401
Fuchsia colensoi Shrub10.0 8-11  LMHSNM202
Fuchsia corymbifloraPeruvian Fuschia, Peruvian Berrybush, Vine fuchsia,Shrub3.6 9-11  LMHSNM300
Fuchsia denticulata Shrub4.0 9-11  LMHSNM300
Fuchsia fulgens Shrub1.2 9-11  LMHSNM30 
Fuchsia hemsleyana Shrub2.0 8-11 MLMHSNM30 
Fuchsia magellanicaFuchsia, Hardy fuchsiaShrub3.6 5-7 MLMHSNM213
Fuchsia microphylla Shrub1.8 8-11 MLMHSNM30 
Fuchsia paniculataShrubby fuchsiaShrub8.0 9-11 MLMHSNM20 
Fuchsia procumbensTrailing FuchsiaShrub0.2 8-11  LMSNM203
Fuchsia species Shrub2.0 -  LMHSNM303
Fuchsia splendensPlatanilloShrub2.0 8-11  LMHFSNM400

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(J.R.Forst.&G.Forst.)L.f.

Botanical References

1144200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Cory Furness   Mon Sep 27 20:11:24 2004

This tree/shrub is one of my favorites. Memories of Kotukutuku or Konini are of wonderful peeling caramel bark and amazing roots winding out from its base like a Celtic knot. Its striking Blue pollen is just an added extra, but what an extra! The flowers also have a wonderful greenish tinge that turns purple/red as it ages. I think it is worth giving a go.

david nicholls, Wellington, New Zealand   Sun Apr 20 2008

The bark was used as a Tobacco substitue by early settlers (according to a book I cant rememder the name of, "Maori Herbal remedies" or something like that, a book I've only ever seen once from the 50's or 60's). Any way I tried it back when I was a tobacco smoker, it was extremely harsh on the throat, but an anti-smoker friend said it smelt lovely. The bark looks like tobacco that is probably the only similarity. The berries are alright but very sparse on the trunk, not a very productive plant if thats what you're wanting, especially if you don't have a lot of space.

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Subject : Fuchsia excorticata  
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