Trees bees use - Fuchsia - a bee forage plant

Michael Duggan, Ireland

Apicultural value

Fuchsia magellanica and its relative Fuchsia excorticala are important sources of nectar for Apis mellifera. They are highly rated and their pollen is very distinctive. Fuchsia are also popular with some species of bumblebees. It is recommended for planting for bees.

Botanical names

Fuchsia magellanica

Fuchsia excorticata

Family

Onagraceae

Names

English — Fuchsia

Spanish — Fucsia

Irish — Fiuise

New Zealand — Konini Kotukutuku

Fuchsia magellanica is a native of South America and Fuchsia excorticata is native in New Zealand. They grow prolifically in temperate and oceanic climates. In the west of Ireland and south-west England it withstands high winds but not frosts. They grow 3-15 metres high and Fuchsia magellanica is often planted as a hedge on either side of a lane as the bushy growth is impenetrable. It does not appear to grow 400 m above sea level in this climate. Fuchsia excorticata grows profusely on the fringes of the bush on the north and south islands of New Zealand.

Pollen grains

Dark blue and sticky, and the viscous threads joining them are very distinctive. They are triangular in the polar view and with three lobes or conical projections. Large as a family, and Fuchsia grains are 75 um

Botanical description ruchsia magellanica has thin stems, generally arching with a pale bark which peals in long strips.

Leaves

Opposite or in threes

Flowers

Purple with red sepals, pendant which protects the nectar and bees from the rain, and long slender stalks. Corrola with four red petals paired with leaf axils.

Fruit

An oblong berry, black and very juicy when ripe.

Honey

Pale yellow with a delicate flavour and low viscosity. In spite of a wet climate it often has a moisture content of 16-17% and in the west of Ireland does not crystallise.