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In Bloom

Epilobium canum (formerly Zauschneria)
"CALIFORNIA FUCHSIA"

Find Epilobium canum in the Arthur L. Menzies Garden of California Native Plants (Beds 34, 35 and 38).

Location Scientific Name Epilobium canum Common Name California fuschia, Hummingbird Trumpet, Mexican Balsamea Family Onagraceae Plant Type Herbaceous Perennial Environment Dry to semi-dry well drained soil in full sun to part shade. Grows to 1-2 feet tall, with arching stems. Excellent for difficult rocky slopes in full sun. Low growing, very water thrifty. Bloom August - October, Red, Pink or Salmon colored tubular flowers, 1-2" long Uses Ornamental for late season color and difficult seasonaly dry sites. Attracts Hummingbirds and butterflies. Native people used it as a urinary tract tonic and for fevers in children. More Info Theodore Payne Foundation Calflora Jepson Flora Project Medicinal Uses Profile Contributors: Fred Bové and Tony Morosco

When late summer enfolds California in a monotone world of burnt grasses and parched chaparrals, "California fuchsias" appear perched on flinty hillsides or in rocky crevices, with their dazzling scarlet flowers rising out of straggly clumps of narrow grey green leaves. After five or more months without rain, their arrival on the landcape reaffirms the resilience of nature in our Mediterranean climate.

It is not a true fuchsia except for its look alike color and shape: tubular with protruding stamens. After a century or more of being called Zauschneria, botanists have re-classified it, grouped it with the fireweeds, and changed its name to theirs: Epilobium.

Its tough, shredded stems grow from rhizomes (flat thick roots) growing almost horizontally and its flowers are delicate and short lived. Several hybrids have been developed from Epilobium canum, some with pink trumpets, some with white.

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Magnolia campbellii January	Magnolia denudata February	Magnolia x veitchii March
Iris douglasiana April	Aesculus californica May	Vaccinium ovatum June

Acer palmatum 'Sango kaku' January	Magnolia campbellii 'Darjeeling' February	Bomarea spp. March
Rhododendron occidentale April	Polystichum munitum May	x Chiranthofremontia lenzii June
Salvia leucantha July	Hydrangea seemannii August	Wollemia nobilis September
Cyathea cooperi October	Pinus radiata November	Correa spp. December

Garrya elliptica January	Magnolia x soulangeana February	Senecio glastifolius March
Ribes spp. April	Oxalis oregana May	Calandrinia grandiflora June
Taxus baccata July	Romneya coulteri August	Passiflora parritae September
Malvaviscus arboreus October	Monterey Cypress November	Aloe arborescens December

Aloe plicatilis January	Banksia seminuda February	Zantedeschia aethiopica March
Magnolia laevifolia April	Araucaria heterophylla May	Toxicodendron diversilobum June
Clarkia sp. July	Agapanthus August	Brugmansia September
Cedrus spp. October	Protea repens November	Camellia sinensis December

Thujopsis dolabrata January	Gordonia longicarpa February	Rojasianthe superba March
Echium spp. April	Iris douglasiana May	Digitalis purpurea June
Felicia amelloides July	Ceroxylon quindiuense August	Amaryllis belladonna September
Ginkgo biloba October	Acer morrisonense November	Ilex aquifolium December

Picea sitchensis January	Telanthophora grandifolia February	Aeonium arboreum 'Schwartzkopf' March
Leptospermum April	Salvia gesneraeflora May	Lavandula spp. June
Pelargonium July	Fuchsia paniculata August	Luma apiculata September
Luculia October	Arbutus unedo November	Cycad December

Restionaceae January	Hellebores February	Ceanothus March
Rhododendron April	Psoralea pinnata May	Fremontodendron californicum June
Leucadendron argenteum July	Crocosmia August	Gunnera tinctoria September
Pellaea rotundifolia October	Fuchsia boliviana November	Erica canaliculata December

Magnolia campbelli January	Magnolia denudata February	Camellia March
Geranium maderense April	Acmena smithii May	Eschscholzia californica June
Dendromecon harfordii July	Romneya coulteri August	Eupatorium purpureum September
Epilobium canum sp. October	Grevillea spp. November	Drimys winteri December