[167] Gunnera manicata, Brazilian Giant Rhubarb
Gunnera tinctoria, Chilean Rhubarb
Introduction
Gunnera manicata, Brazilian Giant Rhubarb, and Gunnera tinctoria, Chilean Rhubarb, are two similar species cultivated for their impressive, very large leaves. As garden plants they are normally called Gunnera, but they are too large for most domestic gardens.
They are, of course, nothing to do with Rhubarb, Rheum x hybridum, but the large leaves have a superficial resemblance.
Taxonomy
Kingdom – Plants
Division- Vascular Plants
Class – Angiosperms (Flowering Plants)
Order – Gunnerales (Gunnera and two obscure species)
Family – Gunneraceae (Just Gunnera)
Genus – Gunnera
Scientific Names – Gunnera manicata , Gunnera tinctoria and other species
Name
John Gunnerus (1718-73) was a Norwegian bishop and botanist
Manicata is Latin for long-sleeved. Tinctoria, also Latin, means to do with dyeing.
Description
Some but not all species of Gunnera have large leaves. Gunnera manicata has the largest, with leaves up to two metres across. Gunnera tinctoria is similar but not quite so large.
Each leaf is on a very long stalk that looks similar to a stalk of rhubarb. The stalks and the undersides of the leaves are covered in small spikes.
They have erect spikes of conical inflorescences with tiny florets. They turn to tiny, spherical fruits with about 80 000 seeds per spike.
As always, cultivated varieties come in various forms and may have leaves of different size, colour or patterning. Pictures above show both species. The next two are Gunnera manicata with reddish flowers.
Habitat and use
Gunnera species come from Latin America, New Zealand, Indonesia, some Pacific islands and parts of Southeast Africa. Specifically, Gunnera manicata comes from southern Brazil and Gunnera tinctoria comes from southern Chile and Argentina.
Plants are generally found near still water.
Gunnera manicata has been traditionally used to treat sexually transmitted diseases. In native Chile Gunnera tinctoria stalks are eaten much as rhubarb. Other Gunnera species have been eaten in various ways and used to treat obstetric and digestive complaints and to dress wounds.
Other Notes
These plants are too large to fit into most ordinary gardens but may be seen in display gardens open to the public. I have seen them in places such as Batsford Arboretum.
It should not surprise you by now that my favourite Gunnera specimens, which are Gunnera manicata, come from Slimbridge. It fits in with their wetland environment.
See also
I suppose I have to mention Rhubarb again. You may see it, it’s not related, and I haven’t done a blog about it.
But I do like rhubarb crumble.
The Species of Britain 