Description
Fuchsia ovalis (also called Oval Fuchsia, among many other common names) is a shrub or small tree with a rounded crown and a single trunk. It is native to the Andes Mountains in Peru and Ecuador, and is found in humid montane forests. It has large, ovate, opposite leaves and bears small, tubular flowers in shades of pink, red, and purple.
Uses & Benefits
Fuchsia ovalis is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a houseplant. Its flowers are attractive to hummingbirds and other pollinators. It has medicinal properties and is used to treat a variety of ailments, including fever, sore throat, and headaches.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Fuchsia ovalis has bright pink tubular flowers with four petals. The flowers are about 1 inch long and hang from the stems. The seeds are small, black and round. The seedlings are small and have a single stem with two leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Fuchsia ovalis is a perennial shrub that grows best in partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Propagation is best done by taking cuttings in late spring or early summer. Cuttings should be taken from the tips of the stems and placed in a potting mix. Keep the soil moist and the cutting should root in a few weeks.