F. procumbens (Section IV Skinnera).
Although it does not appear to have reached the gardens of Europe until
about 1874, it was originally discovered by Robert Cunningham, an Englishman,
in 1834 when he visited New Zealand for the purpose of supervising the shipment
of naval spares for the Government of New South Wales, his brother Alan
having spent a number of years plant hunting in Australia before returning
to Kew
in 1831.
This trailing species first discovered in 1834 in the North Island of New
Zealand growing in the sand along the shoreline, likes growing down banks
and will cover an area of around 18 to 20ft in New Zealand, prostrate in
growth, the slender, trailing stems often attain several feet in length.
Greenish-yellow tube, red at base; sepals green, tipped purple, no corolla
but the stamens bear bright blue pollen. The distinguishing characters are
the erect flowers only about 1/2 in. high and the stigma which may appear
above or below the levelof the stamens.
Seed pods which are green turning to plum
purple with maturity are quite large and attractive, (Pictures of the
berries, ) covered with plum-like bloom and is one of the very few plants
where the berries are left on the plant for exhibition and judging purposes.
The flowers are very free, very small and point upwards, very unfuchsia
like. The foliage also cannot be
recognised as fuchsia, very small leaves, heart shaped and pretty, borne
on slender stalks. Growth consists of long, thin trailing stems which root
quite freely, woody and creeping.
This species is extremely hardy, even in most parts of Britain, can be used
to effect on the larger rockeries or even very suitable for furnishing a
hanging basket. Can be best described as more curious than beautiful and
most unusual in every way; most
specialist fuchsia nurserymen include the plant in their lists.
Synonymous with F. prostrate.
Cunningham - 1834 - New Zealand.
