Fuchsia

FUCHSIA s. (from Fuchs, pr. n.) Bot. Genus of the onagraceae family, it includes about fifty species of shrubs and an infinity of ornamental varieties, sought-after by horticulturists. This genus is entirely American, except for two species found in New Zealand, the majority of the species being indigenous to Mexico and the mountains of Brazil. Cultivated fuchsias can be divided into three sections: fuchsias with short flowers, fuchsias with long flowers and fuchsias with flowers in panicles. Among fuchsias with short flowers we find fuchsia coccinea from Chile, also called fuchsia glabosa by some florists. For many years it was the only species known in the United States. It is remarkable for its axillary and hanging flowers, with scarlet chalice and purple petals. In the long flowers section, the tube of the chalice is longer by 1.57 inches (4 cm) to 2.36 inches (6 cm). Fuchsia fulgens, bright Mexican species, comes from America, as well as fuchsia boliviana (fuchsia corymbiflora, Ruiz and Savon); the flowers of the latter are 1.97 inches (5 cm) long, of a scarlet colour and hang in magnificent corymbs. We can cite as example of fuchsias in panicle or in bunch the lilac fuchsia (fuchsia arborescens), originating in Mexico, which frequently reaches a height of 16.4 feet (5 m).
– Ten species of these elegant plants are grown in our regions; they produced a great number of hybrids and varieties. Fuchsias require moisture and a light ground. These plants were introduced in Europe around 1830.

Extract from the Trousset encyclopedia, 1886 – 1891.