Giant-rhubarb (Gunnera tinctoria, Hist. Nat. Pl., ed. 2, 10: 141 (1805))

Family: Gunneraceae

Author: (Molina) Mirb.

Bibliography: Hist. Nat. Pl., ed. 2, 10: 141 (1805)

Year: 1805

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Gunnera

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. & S. Chile to SW. Argentina

Description

Gunnera tinctoria, commonly known as Giant-rhubarb, is a unique and striking plant native to the temperate regions of Chile and southwestern Argentina. Not to be confused with the culinary rhubarb, Gunnera tinctoria belongs to the family Gunneraceae and is noted for its colossal foliage and impressive growth stature.

This plant thrives in the moist, fertile soils of its native habitats, often found in the wetlands and riverbanks from Central and South Chile to the southwestern regions of Argentina. Its adaptability to these environments makes it a recognizable and dominant feature of the landscape.

Giant-rhubarb can reach an impressive size, with its leaves sometimes growing up to 2.5 meters across. The leaves are rough-textured and have a distinctive, toothed edge, giving the plant a prehistoric appearance. The petioles, or leaf stalks, are thick and can measure up to 1.5 meters long, supporting the immense leaf blades. These stalks are often covered in small, prickly hairs, adding to the plant’s dramatic visual impact.

The flowering aspect of Gunnera tinctoria adds further interest; it produces small, greenish flowers that form dense, cone-shaped inflorescences. These flowers, while not particularly showy, develop into round, red berries that add a splash of color to the plant’s robust greenery.

Historically, the extraordinary size and morphology of Gunnera tinctoria have captured the attention of botanists and plant enthusiasts alike. It was first described scientifically in the second edition of “Histoire Naturelle des Plantes” in 1805. The classification was later refined by Mirbel, citing Molina’s initial observation of the species in the region.

While Giant-rhubarb is an impressive plant to behold, it requires a careful approach if considered for cultivation outside its native range. It has become invasive in some regions, quickly outcompeting native flora due to its rapid growth and extensive root system. Therefore, it’s important to manage its spread to prevent ecological imbalance.

In summary, Gunnera tinctoria is not just a botanical marvel due to its gigantic size and unique appearance, but it also plays an active role in its native ecosystems. When admired responsibly, it stands as a testament to the diverse and extraordinary plant life found in South America.

Common Names

Eng: chilean gunnera, chilean-rhubarb, giant-rhubarb, giant rhubarb
Deu: chilenischer riesenrhabarber, mammutblatt
Dan: farvegunnera
Spa: nalca
Fra: rhubarbe géante
Swe: röd jättegunnera
Nld: gewone gunnera
Cym: rheonllys mawr
En: Giant-rhubarb, Chilean-rhubarb, Chilean gunnera, Chilean Rhubarb, Prickly Rhubarb, Giant rhubarb, Giant Gunnera
Ar: جونيرة صبغية
Cs: Barota čilská
Da: Farvegunnera
Nl: Gewone gunnera
Fi: Värigunnera
Fr: Rhubarbe géante, La Nalca, Gunnéra du Chili
De: Chilenischer Riesenrhabarber, Mammutblatt
He: ריבס ענק
Hu: Óriásrebarbara
Es: Nalca, Pangue
Sv: Röd jättegunnera
Cy: Rheonllys mawr

Synonyms

• Gunnera scabra (Ruiz & Pav.)
• Panke tinctoria (Molina)

Distribution

• Argentina South (native)
• Chile Central (native)
• Chile South (native)
• Azores (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Aug 7, 2022 by Pierre MINCONE (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2021 by Carol gladwin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2021 by José Luis Galbete (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 14, 2022 by Kassendra Germon (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 22, 2017 by Tercie Kadan (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 11, 2019 by Viviane Leszczynski (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 23, 2021 by av br y fac (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 26, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2021 by Martine Caroff (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 13, 2018 by Boller Beat (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 21, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 24, 2019 by Damien Damien Checa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 26, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 10, 2022 by Alessandro petrera (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 16, 2019 by Jean-francois Pasquini (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 24, 2019 by Damien Damien Checa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 20, 2018 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 23, 2021 by MARTÍN PASCHE (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Oct 12, 2021 by Etienne Confida (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2020 by frietman (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 20, 2018 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2021 by C. Ramos (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 10, 2022 by Lompe Nele (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2022 by Lompe Nele (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Apr 4, 2020 by b hellforo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 23, 2021 by MARTÍN PASCHE (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2984306)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:430194-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Gunnera tinctoria (Molina) Mirb.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth