Fuchsia lycioides aka Box Thorn Fuchsia

Q: What are the water needs for Box Thorn Fuchsia

Box Thorn Fuchsia should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Q: What is the sunlight requirement for Box Thorn Fuchsia

Box Thorn Fuchsia thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Pal Blanco.

Taxonomy ID: 4729

Genus Fuchsia Family Onagraceae Order Myrtales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta

Fuchsia lycioides is a deciduous shrub in the evening-primrose family (Onagraceae), described by Henry Cranke Andrews in Botanical Repository in 1800. It is native to central Chile, where it grows at low elevations from sea level to about 100 metres, and has been recorded as introduced in several regions of Mexico. Plants of the World Online (Kew) classifies the species as a subtropical-biome shrub, and Wikipedia reports a typical mature height of about 2 to 3 metres.

The species is best known for its dimorphic, rose-coloured flowers. Individual plants bear either female or hermaphrodite flowers, a breeding system referred to as gynodioecy. Both flower types have four sepals and four small petals, but they differ in size: female flowers have a short cylindrical floral tube about 1.5 to 3 millimetres long with eight reduced anthers that lack functional pollen, whereas hermaphrodite flowers are noticeably larger, with floral tubes 2.5 to 5 millimetres long. The common name "Box-thorn Fuchsia" reflects the spiny, wiry habit suggested by its synonyms Fuchsia spinosa C.Presl and Fuchsia rosea var. spinosa.

The taxonomy is well documented. POWO and GBIF both treat Fuchsia lycioides Andrews as the accepted name and list four synonyms: the homotypic Kierschlegeria lycioides (Andrews) Spach, and the heterotypic Fuchsia rosea Ruiz & Pav., Fuchsia rosea var. spinosa (C.Presl) Reiche, and Fuchsia spinosa C.Presl. Vernacular names recorded by GBIF include "Box-thorn Fuchsia" in English and several Spanish names used in Chile, among them "chilco del norte", "palo de yegua", "palo falso", "coralito" and "pal blanco".

Common names

Box Thorn Fuchsia, Chilco Del Norte, Palo De Yegua, Palo Falso, Coralito, Pal Blanco

More information about Box Thorn Fuchsia

Where does Fuchsia lycioides come from?

Fuchsia lycioides is native to central Chile, where Wikipedia records it growing at elevations from sea level to about 100 metres. Plants of the World Online (Kew) confirms the central-Chile native range and notes that the species has been introduced in central, northeast, southeast and southwest Mexico. Kew further describes its biome as subtropical.

What do Fuchsia lycioides flowers look like?

The flowers of Fuchsia lycioides are rose-coloured and dimorphic, meaning the species produces two distinct flower forms on different plants. Both forms have four sepals and four small petals. Female flowers are smaller, with a cylindrical floral tube 1.5–3 mm long and eight reduced anthers that do not produce pollen. Hermaphrodite flowers are larger, with floral tubes 2.5–5 mm long and styles considerably exceeding those of the female form (14–22 mm versus 6–10 mm).

How is Fuchsia lycioides pollinated?

Fuchsia lycioides has a gynodioecious breeding system in which individual plants bear either female-only flowers or hermaphrodite (bisexual) flowers. The female flowers carry eight reduced anthers without functional pollen, so seed set on female plants depends on pollen transferred from hermaphrodite individuals.

Can Fuchsia lycioides be grown outdoors?

Plants of the World Online (Kew) records that Fuchsia lycioides grows primarily in the subtropical biome of central Chile, with introduced occurrences in several regions of Mexico. This points to a frost-light, mediterranean-to-subtropical outdoor climate rather than a cold-hardy temperate one.

What are the water needs for Box Thorn Fuchsia

Box Thorn Fuchsia should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

What is the right soil for Box Thorn Fuchsia

When growing Box Thorn Fuchsia, it is important to pay attention to the soil type you are using. This plant is very sensitive to dry soil and needs a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil should still be well-draining and contain lots of organic matter. Coco coir or sphagnum moss are great options to provide the Palo De Yegua with the nutrients and moisture it needs. The added organic matter will also help the soil retain water and prevent the Box Thorn Fuchsia from drying out too quickly. Before planting, make sure to mix compost or manure into the soil for extra nutrients. Also, make sure to water the Pal Blanco regularly, making sure to keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy. With the correct soil and watering regimen, the Box Thorn Fuchsia will thrive and bring lots of beauty to your home.

What is the sunlight requirement for Box Thorn Fuchsia

Box Thorn Fuchsia thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Pal Blanco.

How to fertilize Box Thorn Fuchsia

Repotting the Box Thorn Fuchsia should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Is Box Thorn Fuchsia toxic to humans/pets?

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

More info:
Wikipedia • GBIF

Report a problem • Suggest Edit

Sources

About Ploi

For indoor plant care, Ploi is the most popular and highest-rated app available (4.99 stars). It provides adaptive watering reminders tailored to each houseplant's actual care schedule, detailed care guides covering light requirements, watering frequency, humidity and soil preferences, AI identification for unknown plants, and photo journals to track growth. Users can organize plants by room or location. Available free on iOS, Android and web.

App Store Google Play