Fuchsia magellanica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse distribution across several distinct regions of Europe. In Northern Europe, it can be found inhabiting the islands of Føroyar and the territory of Great Britain. Its presence also extends to the coastal landscapes of Ireland within the same northern region. Moving toward Southwestern Europe, the species is established in the country of France. Finally, its range reaches the Atlantic waters of Macaronesia, specifically within the Azores.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Fuchsia magellanica is defined by a broad altitudinal distribution and a versatile range of environmental conditions. This species inhabits a wide elevational range, beginning at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extending up to a maximum altitude of 2800 m AMSL. While it is capable of thriving in high-altitude environments, it is frequently found in lowland habitats, where it adapts to the specific moisture and light availability of those zones. This significant vertical range allows the plant to occupy diverse ecological niches across varying climatic gradients.

Elevational range max:

2800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Lowland

Genetics

The genetics of Fuchsia magellanica are characterized by a complex chromosomal arrangement that plays a significant role in its evolutionary biology and reproductive capabilities. Specifically, the species exhibits a diploid chromosome number of 22, while a tetraploid state of 44 is also observed within its genetic makeup. This variation in chromosome number, representing both 22 and 44, indicates a capacity for polyploidy, which can influence phenotypic diversity, adaptation to varying environmental conditions, and the plant's ability to stabilize certain traits through genome doubling. Such chromosomal configurations are essential for understanding the inheritance patterns and the genetic stability of this species across its natural habitats.

Chromosome number :

22, 44

Life history

The life history of Fuchsia magellanica is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located on aerial shoots well above the ground, a structural trait that defines its growth habit. The species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage seasonally as part of its natural cycle. This combination of a perennial lifecycle, a phanerophyte life form, and deciduousness dictates its rhythmic pattern of seasonal growth, dormancy, and regrowth.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Fuchsia magellanica is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically classified as a shrub. This species is a terrestrial plant that grows independently, lacking any parasitic tendencies. In terms of stature, it is a self-supporting organism that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine. The plant exhibits a significant vertical presence, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 4 meters, maintaining an average height of approximately 3 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4 m

Plant height mean:

3 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Fuchsia magellanica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant's foliar morphology demonstrates significant variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 7 cm. The width of these leaves fluctuates between 0.8 cm and 2 cm, contributing to a mean leaf width of 2.2 cm. Furthermore, the leaf structure exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 202.75 cm²/g, a metric that reflects the plant's investment in leaf tissue density and its strategy for optimizing light interception and gas exchange within its ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

7 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf width max:

2 cm

Leaf width mean:

2.2 cm

Leaf width min:

0.8 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

202.75 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Fuchsia magellanica is characterized by a sexual process facilitated by bisexual flowers, which rely on biotic pollination, specifically through a bird-driven pollination syndrome. The flowering period is quite extensive and variable, typically beginning in December and concluding in May. To ensure genetic diversity, self-fertilization is absent in this species. Following successful pollination, the plant produces indehiscent fruits classified as berries. These berries vary in size, with a minimum length of 1 cm, a mean length of 2 cm, and a maximum length reaching up to 1.5 cm. Each fruit is highly prolific, containing more than 1,000 seeds, with an average seed mass of 0.0001425 g. The dispersal of these seeds follows an unspecialized syndrome, though it is also noted to be anthropochorous, meaning it can be influenced by human activity.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flowering time :

Dec

Flowering time :

May

Fruit length max:

1.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

2 cm

Fruit length min:

1 cm

Fruit type :

berry

Pollination syndrome :

bird

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass mean:

0.0001425 g

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Fuchsia magellanica has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Fuchsia magellanica has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include wounds.

Wounds

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Fuchsia magellanica has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 50% (v/v) ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the plants' leaves.

50% (v/v) ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the plants' leaves

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)