The flower of Fuchsia × colensoi
New Zealand has both the world’s tallest species of Fuchsia, Fuchsia excorticata (which can exceed heights of 12m (40 ft.)) and some of the world’s smallest species, like Fuchsia procumbens. Although the naturally-occurring hybrid Fuchsia × colensoi is considered to have the tall Fuchsia excorticata as one of its parents, individuals rarely exceed 3m (10 ft.).
The other parent species is thought to be scrambling fuchsia, Fuchsia perscandens–and indeed, Fuchsia × colensoi can be somewhat leggy in habit. This may explain the difficulty I am having in finding a photograph of a mature entire plant online.
The range of Fuchsia × colensoi does not always overlap with its parent species. For example, it occurs on New Zealand’s Stewart Island, where Fuchsia perscandens is absent. At some sites, it seems to form a hybrid swarm with its parent species, backcrossing and interbreeding such that a wide range of morphological variation can be found.
NZFlora has additional photographs (but none of the entire plant!): Fuchsia × colensoi.
Following on yesterday’s Dale-a, I’m not surprised to see Fuchsia follow it 🙂 Also, GORGEOUS shot.
🙂 You’ll note I didn’t even try to convince people to pronounce it as Fooks-ee-a.
What an astounding Fuchsia bloom. Gorgeous!
What are the little white grains on it?
I suspect pollen grains from other plants.
I have been growing the plant for many years. The little specks of white are just the make up of the stigma. The only pollen is coming from the anthers of the blossom. It is self pollinating, however I have never done a stain test on the F x colensoi pollen, I’m sure it is sterile. Most hybrids are sterile or very close to it. My plant rarely blooms and only gets about 18 inches tall.
Love that color! I can’t imagine a 10 ft. Fuchsia, or its 40 parent! The hummingbirds would go bonkers over such a bush!
Interesting plant
Exotic! I love it.
Nice to learn of another plant named after Colensoe.
Yes, an interesting gentleman: William Colenso.