Fuchsia excorticata
Encyclopedia
Fuchsia
excorticata, the New Zealand Fuchsia also known as Kotukutuku, is a New Zealand
native tree belonging to the family Onagraceae
. It is found commonly throughout New Zealand and as far south as the Auckland Islands
. It grows from sea level up to about 1,000 m, particularly alongside creeks and rivers. Kotukutuku are easily recognised in their native environment by the characteristic appearance of their bark, which peels spontaneously, hanging in red papery strips to show a pale bark underneath.
Kotukutuku it is the largest member of the genus Fuchsia, growing to a height of 15 m. The introduction of Common Brushtail Possum
to New Zealand has precipitated a serious decline in this species where large concentrations of the possum are present. Kotukutuku appears to be one of the possum's preferred food sources and they will browse individual trees to the point of defoliation and the trees will die. The berry (kōnini) is sweet and juicy, it was also used by European settlers to make jam and puddings.
Fuchsia
Fuchsia is a genus of flowering plants that consists mostly of shrubs or small trees. The first, Fuchsia triphylla, was discovered on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola in 1703 by the French Minim monk and botanist, Charles Plumier...
excorticata, the New Zealand Fuchsia also known as Kotukutuku, is a New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
native tree belonging to the family Onagraceae
Onagraceae
Onagraceae, also known as the Willowherb family or Evening Primrose family, are a family of flowering plants. The family includes about 640-650 species of herbs, shrubs, and trees in 20-24 genera...
. It is found commonly throughout New Zealand and as far south as the Auckland Islands
Auckland Islands
The Auckland Islands are an archipelago of the New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands and include Auckland Island, Adams Island, Enderby Island, Disappointment Island, Ewing Island, Rose Island, Dundas Island and Green Island, with a combined area of...
. It grows from sea level up to about 1,000 m, particularly alongside creeks and rivers. Kotukutuku are easily recognised in their native environment by the characteristic appearance of their bark, which peels spontaneously, hanging in red papery strips to show a pale bark underneath.
Kotukutuku it is the largest member of the genus Fuchsia, growing to a height of 15 m. The introduction of Common Brushtail Possum
Common Brushtail Possum
The Common Brushtail Possum is a nocturnal, semi-arboreal marsupial of the family Phalangeridae, it is native to Australia, and the largest of the possums.Like most possums, the Common Brushtail is nocturnal...
to New Zealand has precipitated a serious decline in this species where large concentrations of the possum are present. Kotukutuku appears to be one of the possum's preferred food sources and they will browse individual trees to the point of defoliation and the trees will die. The berry (kōnini) is sweet and juicy, it was also used by European settlers to make jam and puddings.