Fuchsia boliviana

Native from southern Peru through Bolivia to northwestern Argentina, it is a large shrub or small tree grown as an ornamental for its long, hanging clusters of scarlet flowers. It can reach about sixteen feet tall and has arching or drooping branches. Its broad leaves grow in opposite pairs or groups of three, while young shoots are covered with white hairs. The flowers have ridged petals that soon fall away, followed by elongated, dark purple berries. The species has been introduced into Colombia and many other countries. Photographed in the eastern Andes mountain range of Colombia.