Tree Fuchsia, (latin name: Fuchsia excorticate) is otherwise known as Kōtukutuku. It is a medium to large sized deciduous tree that easily recognized by its orange bark that always appears to be peeling away from the trunk.
The flowers range in color from dark purple to light pinky-purple. they are often visited by tui and other nectar eating birds.
The fruit of the tree is edible, the berries are colored dark purple when ripe. The rest of the plant is poisonous.
Tree Fuchsia has medicinal uses, and was used by Māori as a treatment to help women recover from the after effects of childbirth and as a means to settle bowel complaints.
Photo credits: bushmansfriend.com, bushmansfriend.com, visitzelandia.com
I don't think I've noticed a tree with fuschia blooms!
ReplyDelete