Wednesday, August 27, 2008

ABC WEDNESDAY - F IS FOR FUCHSIA, THE TEARDROPS OF MANN

For Bibi, Teardrops of Mann

I have mentioned before the cushag, (gorse) being the unofficial flower of the Isle of Man. The Fuchsia though also has island links and is commonly referred to as the "Teardrops Of Mann." Not a spelling mistake you will often see it spelt like this, especially in these kind of sayings. Why they are referred to as the teardrops of Mann I don't know, I have drawn a blank. Anyone know? I can tell you they are all over the island in various forms though. There are some Fuchsia Tree lined roads and when the petals fall you do get a beautiful carpet of red or pink fallen blooms which are extremely pretty.

Just a few snippets about the pretty flower, and remember it's just for fun.

Fuchsia is a genus of flowering plants, mostly shrubs and can grow long shoots, which were identified by Charles Plumier in the late-17th century, and named by Plumier in 1703 after the German botanist Leonhart Fuchs (1501–1566).[1] The English vernacular name Fuchsia is the same as the scientific name.

While the original pronunciation from the word's German origin is "fook-sya" /ˈfʊksja/, most English speakers tend to say "fyew'sha" fjuːʃə/. As a result, the word is often subjected to misspellings such as "fushcia" or "fuschia". In English, the other accepted pronunciation is "fyewk'see-ah", which is somewhat truer to the word's origin.

Among horticultural writers the fuchsia is jocularly referred to as "the world's most carefully spelled flower," a label which was apparently first given to it by Jimmy Barnes.

Leonhart Fuchs was born in 1501. He occupied the chair of Medicine at the Tübingen University from the age of 34 until his death, on the 10th May 1566. Besides his medical knowledge, according to his record of activities which was extensive for the time, he studied plants. This was natural, for most of the remedies of the time were herbal and the two subjects were often inseparable. In the course of his career Fuchs wrote De Historia Stirpium, which was published in 1542. In honour of Fuchs' work the fuchsia received its name shortly before 1703 by Charles Plumier

The image is a stock photo of mine, a library shot, basically camera practise just before I went out to shoot the TT Motorbike Races. Before sport events I always try the camera out, for speed, white balance, and lighting conditions. This is a completely natural shot. As you can see I decided not to crop or clone the branch out of the top left corner or tidy the image up so to speak or tone down the colours. A natural shot should be that, warts and all.

Want to join ABC got the lovely hostess with the mostest, MRS NESBITT'S PLACE

52 comments:

Laurie Allee said...

I have a hanging basket of this!

I love all the information. Thanks, Babooshka! Oh, and thank you for the kind words on my blog today. You're such a supportive, friendly, wonderful part of CDP.

Anonymous said...

Hi L.B.

Cool fuchsia droplets. Do you have any other type? Why tears? This island of yours is a dreamboat.

Texas Travelers said...

Great photo.
Thanks for the information.
Wonderful use of F.

Come visit our F,
Troy and Martha

me ann my camera said...

Interesting information. The petal to the left could be shaped like a person. Nice pictures.

Jim Klenke said...

I love the color. I have seen flowers like this one, but I dont think its as long and skinny. Very pretty.

Anonymous said...

That is really a great looking flower. Too bad there's no like that here.

I played, too! My "F" photo is up here.

Kim from Hiraeth said...

Very pretty. My favorites are the deep purple and red ones.

Columbo said...

I love fuchsias, haveing four hanging baskets at the present time. Awesome shot and a great posting for ABC Wednesday. You have a nice site, enjoyed it.

magiceye said...

they are bright and beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful. Interesting info about the pronounciation and spelling too...

Michele said...

So pretty and amazing... beautiful and your post is very informative... I love coming to your blog! =)

Leslie: said...

Beautiful photo! I wish I could keep fuschias alive, but they really need a lot of shade and I don't have too much of that in my garden.

Virginia said...

I took one look and thought, Flower Fairies! My granddaughters would love these. Must show them.
Nice thought for BIbi as well.

Janet said...

A very interesting flower!

Kim said...

It is beautiful and a perfect name for it. This picture looks perfect the way it is.

Sorry I didn't make it over to your blog last friday, it has been a busy week :) I really love your skywatch friday post, the reflection is beautiful.

Granny Smith said...

As a child, I constructed dolls from fuchsia blossoms by pinching off the stem just above the green "head" and poking it through the "body" (that segment above the "skirt"). Fuchsia is very common in this area of California.

Lynette said...

Lovely photo and I like that local name for such a beautifully shaped blossom. I have been amazed to find fuchsia growing in flower beds in many of Portland's neigborhoods, not just in hanging baskets like I'd seen in other states.

Oman said...

awesome shot, the red is bursting. great shot again.

Oman said...

by the way, if it isn't too much to ask (kakapalan ko na mukha ko), i am nominated in this pinoyworld blog contest and i need votes. please check the poll in my blog and vote for LAWSTUDE. thanks.

Ivar Østtun said...

Fuchsia is a wonderful flower. Nice :-)

Anonymous said...

As we drove up here that day we arrived, Fuschia were so much in evidence as a hedgerow we couldn't credit it. Looks marvellous.

Olivier said...

belle photo de famille, en ouvrant ton blog, j'ai pensé voir des piments ;o)
beautiful family photo, opening your blog, I thought see peppers ;o)

Liz Hinds said...

I always think of fuchsia as a sort of posh plant! So it's amazing to think of it growing wild. Lovely photo and interesting facts.

Marie Reed said...

I was so happy to see this special post for Bibi.

AphotoAday said...

Interesting -- the "Teardrops of Mann"...

My father was a big fuschia grower until a blight came through -- he switched to lilies...

mrsnesbitt said...

One of my favourites. So delicate and yet so artistic.
How's the \Manx?

Gordon said...

A lovely photo; this fuchsia is aptly named.

Kjersti said...

A very beautiful flower.

Anonymous said...

How lovely.

I'm usually quite good with plants, but I always seem to kill fuschias. I do love them though - I had no idea they were linked to the IoM though.

Gemma Wiseman said...

Love all the colours of fuchsias! And this is a gorgeous red! You delightful pic emphasises the hanging, "bell-like" look of the fuchsia!

Anonymous said...

Fuchsias always remind me of the Isle of Man just because they grow so well there and in such abundance. I love to see them growing wild in the hedgerows. Along with heather and gorse they epitomise the Island for me.

Reader Wil said...

The fuchsia( pronounced in Holland like in German) is my favourite flower, but I can only have them in summer. I saw many fuchsia bushes in Cornwall, just growing there summer and winter!

Anonymous said...

SOOOOOOOOOOO pretty!

gma said...

Fushias are so beautiful.
:-)

Maria Verivaki said...

fuchsias are always impressive flowers to look at, kind of like a peacock's feathers, they are stunning

Bear Naked said...

Fantastic information about the Fuchsia Flowering plant.
Fabulous idea For ABC Wednesday letter F.

Bear((( )))

marley said...

Lovely pink colour. I like the ones that open into big blousy blooms, with lots of bright colours.

I'm sure Bibi appreciated your dedication today.

angela said...

Fuschias-love 'em..
My sis in law is dutch and the first time she met my mother she complimented my straightlaced mum on her f****sias. It took a while to get over that one..and now every time I see a fuschia I smile.

Anonymous said...

We always call them Mannanan's tears aswell. Hand me down saying. Don't know the origin. Beautiful photograph.

naturglede/Randi Lind said...

Thank you for the information and a nice photo:)

Unknown said...

Wonderful flowers fuchsia have. We always have at least one hanging or trailing around our garden.

Great choice for F.

Gary
Bodge's Bulletin

Dragonstar said...

I love fuchsia. It grows all over the place here as garden escapes. I like your natural picture a lot.

Chuck Pefley said...

I've always been attracted to the fuchsia, such elegance in their delicate hanging presentation.

Loved your "sole" comment over on Yankee in Belgrade's blog today :)

Anonymous said...

Yes we are lucky here on the island to have this fantastic flower in abundance at the side of the road. One of the best places is on the Ballamodha Straight. Cracking photo as normal and thanks for even more tips on photography. Keep up the good work.

Annie said...

Absolutely lovely!!

Unknown said...

Very nice shot and interesting information.

Neva said...

Fuschia sure is stunning! I love all the info you share! Nice.

♥ Denise BC ♥ said...

Hi, Fuchsia is very very beautiful.
hugs, Denise

Anonymous said...

great post and love the pic

Louis la Vache said...

Fuchsias are one of "Louis's" Favorite Flowers!

Knoxville Girl said...

They're beautiful. I thought they were chili peppers at first (said the woman with the black thumb) :-)

kouji said...

interesting looking flower. :)

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