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In Bloom

SFBG
Gunnera tinctoria 1Gunnera tinctoria 2Gunnera tinctoria 3
Gunnera tinctoria 4Gunnera tinctoria 5Gunnera tinctoria 6

Gunnera tinctoria is located in beds 67B, 69 and 71. Other species of Gunnera are tiny by comparison: G. magellanica can be found in beds 18 and 57A; G. monoica is in bed 42.

Gunnera tinctoria


Plant Profile
Scientific Name Gunnera tinctoria
Common Name "Chilean rhubarb, Dinosaur food"
Family Gunneraceae
Plant Type Perennial aquatic plants
Environment This plant has very high moisture needs and is best suited to edges of ponds, streams, or in a boggy part of the garden. Prefers filtered sunlight/semi-shaded environment. Propagate by dividing the rhizomes in the Winter/early Spring. Caution: plant has sharp spines, use care when handling.
Bloom Brownish-bronze inflorescence with both male and female parts seen from Spring through mid-Summer
Uses Used mostly for its large, dramatic foliage. The young leaf stalks can be peeled and cooked as a vegetable or eaten raw. A black dye is made from the roots.
More Info A Gunnera gallery including information about fossil Gunnera

Tips for growing Gunnera

Wikipedia listing (includes a photo from SFBG)
Profile Contributor: Fred Bové

Gunnera tinctoria
"Chilean rhubarb, Dinosaur food"

If you've been wondering about that primeval looking plant running along the edge of the Primitive Garden that has monster-sized leaves, five feet long with teeth on their undersides, it's called Gunnera, a native of the cloud forests of Central and South America. There it grows like a weed, taking root in road cuts or any place where the soil has been disturbed. Its natural armor protects it from foraging animals.

The fact that Gunnera thrives in our botanical garden, proves how our fog and mild weather can approximate tropical conditions, making it possible to grow a variety of plants from hotter, moister areas of the world.

After being trimmed to the ground each winter by the gardeners, Gunnera grows back furiously in early spring, reaching four feet in a few months. By then, a spectacular stalk appears in the center bearing exotic male and female flowers.



Available at our next plant sale

Contributors: Docents Joanne Taylor and Kathy McNeil


  • Bloom Archive 2008
  • Bloom Archive 2007
  • Bloom Archive 2006
Picea sitchensis

Picea sitchensis

January

Telanthophora grandifolia

Telanthophora grandifolia

February

Aeonium arboreum 'Schwartzkopf'

Aeonium arboreum 'Schwartzkopf'

March

Leptospermum Spp.

Leptospermum

April

Salvia gesneraeflora

Salvia gesneraeflora

May

Lavandula spp.

Lavandula spp.

June

Pelargonium

Pelargonium

July

   
Restionaceae

Restionaceae

January

Hellebores

Hellebores

February

Ceanothus

Ceanothus

March

Rhododendron

Rhododendron

April

Psoralea pinnata

Psoralea pinnata

May

Fremontodendron californicum

Fremontodendron californicum

June

Leucadendron argenteum

Leucadendron argenteum

July

Crocosmia

Crocosmia

August

Gunnera tinctoria

Gunnera tinctoria

September

Pellaea rotundifolia

Pellaea rotundifolia

October

Fuchsia boliviana

Fuchsia boliviana

November

Erica canaliculata

Erica canaliculata

December

Magnolia campbelli

Magnolia campbelli

January

Magnolia denudata

Magnolia denudata

February

Camellia

Camellia

March

Geranium maderense

Geranium maderense

April

Acmena smithii

Acmena smithii

May

Eschscholzia californica

Eschscholzia californica

June

Dendromecon harfordii

Dendromecon harfordii

July

Romneya coulteri

Romneya coulteri

August

Eupatorium purpureum

Eupatorium purpureum

September

Epilobium canum sp.

Epilobium canum sp.

October

Grevillea spp.

Grevillea spp.

November

Drimys winteri

Drimys winteri

December

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