discovered over the past several centuries. Plumier’s first encounter occurred on the hills of the Caribbean Islands. Fuchsia triphylla is native to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Cultivation Fuchsia triphylla is a popular species for cultivation, primarily for ornamental purposes. Although the plant is capable of living in a decent range of environments, the ideal conditions greatly resemble its place of discovery. Ideal temperatures are just below during the day and just over at night. The plant also grows best when not overly exposed to direct sunlight. It thrives in well-drained soils with a pH range of 6–7. This is all characteristic of the mountainous regions where this plant seems to be most commonly found in the wild. Another reason these are good garden plants is their unlikelihood to get pests or diseases. The most commonly found pests, however, tend to be whitefly. References Baum, Werner C. “Terminology in the Plant Sciences.” A Publication of the Botanical Society of America, Inc. 16. (1970): 1-28 Breedlove, Dennis E. The Systematics of Fuchsia Section Encliandra (Onagraceaea). Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1969. Caring for Fuchsia. 26 April 2009. Woman Knows. <http://www.womanknows.com/gardening/news/415/> Knoblock, Irving W. “A Plants and Man Course.” A Publication of the Botanical Society of America, Inc. 23. (1977): 2-13 ZipcodeZoo.com. The Bay Science Foundation. 1 March 2009. < http://zipcodezoo.com/Key/Plantae/Fuchsia_Genus.asp> triphylla Flora of Haiti Flora of the Dominican Republic Plants described in 1753 Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus Garden plants of North America Flora without expected TNC conservation status