Native seed catalogue

Fuchsia excorticata Tree fuchsia | Kōtukutuku

This guide is based on a literature review. It compiles information from various sources. Different sources may offer varying advice and findings.

Propagation summary

Good germination and seed viability. Uncertainty around long-term storage. Can be grown from cuttings.

Seed propagation category

Easy.

Geographical distribution

Found throughout New Zealand from North Cape to Auckland Islands.(1)

Seed collection

Seeds can be dispersed by birds.(2)

Seed storage

Orthodox (can survive drying and freezing for long-term storage).(3)

Seed dormancy

No dormancy. 11 days to first germination and can take up to 32 days.(2) Other studies report 14–23 days to first germination.(4), (5)

Pre-sowing treatments

Seeds need de-pulping (removal of seed from fruit) as in-fruit seeds had low germination.(2)

Seed viability

92% of seeds are viable.(2) Another study reported hand-cleaned seeds had a viability rate of 85%.(6)

Germination

Germination rate of 96% after 1 month.(2)

Propagation techniques

Germination rate is lowered in the dark.(2) Seeds germinate in cool to moderate conditions.(5) Easily propagated from softwood cuttings with roots forming within 2–4 weeks.(5)

Research opportunities

Seed storage and vegetative propagation need further investigation.

Information about the native seed profiles

All species names are in the following order: scientific name, common name, and Māori name. Names may vary by region. We have tried to use the most common names across New Zealand.

We have sourced photos from different websites and creators. We have used the images under different licences. These include Public Domain and Creative Commons licenses. For Fuchsia excorticata, the image details are:

The basis for each seed profile is a literature review carried out by Scion. Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service commissioned and worked on the review to produce a native seed catalogue. The full seed catalogue is on the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) website.

Native afforestation research programme: Seed propagation catalogue

References

1.

Robertson, A W; Ladley, J J; Kelly, D; McNutt, K L; Peterson, P G; Merrett, M F; Karl, B J (2008) Assessing pollination and fruit dispersal in Fuchsia excorticata (Onagraceae). New Zealand Journal of Botany 46(3), 299–314.

2.

Burrows, C J (1995) Germination behaviours of seeds of the New Zealand species Fuchsia excorticata, Griselinia littoralis, Macropiper excelsum, and Melicytus ramiflorus. New Zealand Journal of Botany 33(1), 131–140.

3.

Wyse, S V; Carlin, T F; Etherington, T R; Faruk, A; Dickie, J B; Bellingham, P J (2024) Can seed banking assist in conserving the highly endemic New Zealand indigenous flora? Pacific Conservation Biology 30, PC23029.

4.

Burrows, C J (1997) Reproductive ecology of New Zealand forests: 2. Germination behaviour of seeds in varied conditions. New Zealand Natural Sciences 23, 53–69.

5.

Metcalf, L J (1995) The propagation of New Zealand native plants. Godwit; Auckland, New Zealand.

6.

Wyman, T E; Trewick, S A; Morgan-Richards, M; Noble, A D L (2011) Mutualism or opportunism? Tree Fuchsia (Fuchsia excorticata) and tree weta (Hemideina) interactions. Austral Ecology 36, 261–268.

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