(Photo Kenneth Nilsson S)
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Additional information
directly from New Zealand Oct 22 -96
(Photo Kenneth Nilsson S)
(Another, even more close-up picture of F.
excorticata)
Fuchsia excorticata is a decidious tree fuchsia which grows on edge of forests
in New Zealand , particularly the North Island, up to 3000 feet (1000 m)
and forms a tree of some 40 to 50 feet (12-15 m) in height, in favourable
conditions forming a trunk 3 feet (1 m) i diameter.
It is one of the commonest trees of the New Zealand forests. It has a short
gnarled trunk and the cinnamon coloured bark hangs in long strips. Fuchsia
excorticat will grow so large that it is often used as a cover for Rhododendrons.
The flower tube and sepals start green but quickly turn burgundy red. The
small corolla is almost black. The flowers are small (1 inch+, 3 cm), very
few and they appear mostly on older wood. The pollen is bright blue (can
be seen in the picture) and was (is?) used as face ornament by the Maori
maidens.
The foliage is very dark , glossy green (see picture) on upper surface and
whiteish underneath.
The wood is very useful in wood carving