Chromosome numbers are reported for 13 species and four artificially produced interspecific hybrids of Fuchsia (Onagraceae). The chromosome number of F. encliandra is reported here for the first time and new chromosome numbers were obtained for F. triphylla and F. boliviana. An approximately 2.4-fold variation in DNA C-value was observed with a range of values from 1.46 pg to 3.44 pg per 2C nucleus. The lowest C-values were found in the species from New Zealand. The four polyploidy species had considerably lower 1Cx-values than most of the diploid species. The nuclear DNA content of the hybrids was, as expected, intermediate between those of the parental species.