Tree fuchsia
Fuchsia excorticata, family Onagraceae
In its own language: kōtukutuku
New Zealand’s tall, peeling-bark fuchsia with dark berries and purple flowers
Tree fuchsia is a deciduous tree native to New Zealand, growing up to 13 metres tall with coppery bark that peels in thin sheets. It bears purple flowers from late winter to early summer and dark purple fruits eaten by birds and people.
- Largest species in the Fuchsia genus, reaching 13 metres tall
- One of few deciduous trees in New Zealand
- Bark peels naturally in thin, copper-coloured sheets
- Berries eaten by Māori and early European settlers
- Named 'bucket-of-water wood' for its resistance to burning
What does Tree fuchsia look like?
Tree fuchsia grows as a tall, branching tree with a twisted trunk up to 70 cm wide. Its bark peels away in thin, papery layers, showing pale green underneath. The leaves are dark green above and silvery below. Flowers hang singly, with red or crimson sepals and dark purple petals. The fruit is a small, dark purple berry.
Where does Tree fuchsia come from?
This species is found only in New Zealand, where it grows on the North, South, Stewart, and Auckland Islands. It was first collected by Banks and Solander in 1769 near Gisborne and later described by the Forsters in 1775. Originally named Skinnera excorticata, it was moved into the genus Fuchsia in 1782.
When and how Tree fuchsia blooms
It thrives in lowland to montane forests, often near streams or at forest edges, from sea level up to 1,050 metres. In colder parts of its range, it drops its leaves in autumn and stays bare until new growth appears in spring. Flowering begins in August and continues through December.
How Tree fuchsia is used
Māori traditionally ate the ripe berries, known as kōnini or māti. Early European settlers also used them in jams and puddings. The tree is valued in gardens for its unusual bark and form, and its wood is very hard to burn.
What Tree fuchsia means
The Māori name kōtukutuku refers to the way the bark peels off, meaning 'to let go'. The tree supports native birds like kererū, tūī, and bellbirds, which eat its fruit and help spread its seeds. Introduced possums now threaten it by stripping its leaves.
Where Tree fuchsia is used and seen
Hidcote Manor GardenA famous Arts and Crafts garden of outdoor rooms in Gloucestershire, England
San Diego Botanic GardenA 37-acre garden in Encinitas with global plant collections and rare bamboos
Mendocino Coast Botanical GardensA coastal garden in Mendocino County, California with ocean views and diverse plantingsQuestions people ask about Tree fuchsia
Where does tree fuchsia come from?
It is endemic to New Zealand, found on the North, South, Stewart, and Auckland Islands, mainly in lowland and montane forests near streams.
What does the Māori name kōtukutuku mean?
It comes from 'tukutuku', meaning 'to let go', describing how the bark peels off in thin sheets.
Is tree fuchsia used for food?
Yes, Māori ate the ripe berries, called kōnini or māti, and early European settlers made them into jams and puddings.
When does it flower?
In New Zealand, it blooms from August to December, with flowers appearing singly or sometimes directly on the trunk.
Why was it called 'bucket-of-water wood'?
Early European settlers gave it this nickname because its wood is extremely difficult to burn, making it one of New Zealand’s least flammable trees.
Good reading and sources
- IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesIUCN Red List, Article
- Fuchsia excorticataRoyal Horticultural Society, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
- Fuchsia excorticata on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Fuchsia excorticata", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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