Fiúise
Latin name: Fuchsia megallanica
Although the fuchsia now grows naturally in Ireland, it is actually native to Central and South America. It is a deciduous plant and was identified by Charles Plumier in the seventeenth century. Plumier named it after the German doctor and botanist Leonhard Fuchs.
Latin name: Fuchsia megallanica
Although the fuchsia now grows naturally in Ireland, it is actually native to Central and South America. It is a deciduous plant and was identified by Charles Plumier in the seventeenth century. Plumier named it after the German doctor and botanist Leonhard Fuchs.
Fuchsia plants have extremely strong branches that are tough against the winter frost, and oval leaves with jagged edges. They are most often found growing along hedgerows and old buildings, although many people plant them in pots on the patio or in garden shrubberies because of their beautiful flowers.
The very distinctive bell-shaped flowers of the fuchsia begin to appear in June, and the study branches are weighed down with purple and pink flowers right up to October.
It usually grows from one to three metres high, its strong vivid bright flowers making the hedgerows very dramatic.
Flowering fuchsia: lanterns or fairies?
Flowering fuchsia: lanterns or fairies?
Flowering fuchsia: lanterns or fairies?
When people look at the flowers, some see tiny hanging lanterns while others see small dancing fairies.
Look at the photo. What do you see when you look at the flowers of the fuchsia?
Do you know what bird helps the fuchsia to pollinate? It is the humming bird, which is attracted by the deep violet colour of the petals and the red sepals that surround them.
Be careful not to eat the fruit of the fuchsia - the black berries are not edible!