This is the largest section of Fuchsia, with its sixty-four species distributed primarily in cool montane cloud forest habitats in the tropical Andes from northern Argentina to Colombia and Venezuela. Two species, F. pringsheimii and F. triphylla, are endemic to Hispaniola. Except for F. rivularis subsp. pubescens and rivularis (Berry & Hermsen 1999), there are currently no taxa of subspecific rank recognized within this large section (Berry 1982). Fuchsia section Fuchsia consists of scandent or climbing shrubs, sub-shrubs or small trees with leaves that are opposite or whorled. The flowers are axillary and solitary, or held in racemes, panicles or involucrate clusters, and pendulous or divergent. The floral tube is 10 to 80 mm long. The annular nectaries are free from the floral tube and unlobed or weakly four- to eight-lobed, rarely with an uneven band lining the tube. The sepals are shorter than the floral tube and mostly in shades of red. The petals are also mostly in shades of red. The stamens occur in two unequal series. The pollen is yellow and the viscin threads are beaded. The seeds number fifty to 250.
This section’s name, of course, is the same as the whole genus first described in honor of the German botanist Leonart Fuchs by Charles Plumier. Originally called Eufuchsia, from the prefix eu, meaning good or well, plus Fuchsia, the section was necessarily renamed Fuchsia since it contains the type species of the genus, Fuchsia triphylla.
The Fuchsia section is the largest section with over 60 species. This section is therefore sometimes divided into a number of groups whereby species that are closely related are placed in a group. It is not a fixed division, but more an attempt at a somewhat easier orientation within the section.
All species of this section form upright growing or climbing shrubs or even small trees. The climbers are not real climbers with tap roots or tendrils. They only work their way up in search of light with the support of other plants. They generally occur in the cool, moist forests in clearings by road construction, along rivers or waterfalls, or in a clearing where a tree has fallen. At least in places where there is enough light and a high, constant air and soil moisture. So not deep in the dark forest. Most species are therefore found in the so-called cloud forests. The cool, humid atmosphere and plenty of sunlight filtered through the trees is the ideal growing spot. Summer and winter only consist of a difference in a rainy and a somewhat drier period. The temperature is constant almost all year round. The soil consists of moss and fallen leaves that fall all year round. The large amount of moisture creates a thick, soft humus layer, often with a rocky bottom bottom. Most fuchsias of this section therefore have a superficial, weak root system. The flowers are bisexual and almost all orange or orange-red. They are pollinated by hummingbirds. That is why fuchsias do not need a fragrance, but do have a bright color. They produce a lot of nectar, which makes them very attractive to the hummingbirds. From the foregoing it appears that the plants of this section need a very airy, humus-rich potting soil. Anthurium or orchid soil is very suitable for the young plants. Because from cutting to mature plant is the most difficult period. Large, well-rooted plants do well in any well-drained potting soil. The biggest danger for these plants is an overly wet pot, causing the hair roots to die. As mentioned earlier, they like high humidity. They therefore do best when the nights after the summer become longer and, above all, more humid. The peak of flowering therefore falls in September to October. This bloom can continue in the greenhouse until winter.