Gunnera, Chilean gunnera
Gunnera tinctoria

Family: Gunneraceae

What it is like

Gunnera tinctoria is a PERENNIAL growing to 2 m (6ft 7in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 2

Where it is found

Moist soils by lakes and rivers of the Central Provinces.

S. America - Chile.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Young leaf stalks - peeled and cooked as a vegetable or eaten raw. Acid and refreshing.

Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The whole plant is astringent.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Other

Rating: 2

A black dye is obtained from the root. The root contains 9% tannin. Leaves are used as a roof covering.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Roofing: Used to give a waterproof roof to buildings. See also Thatching.

Tannin: An astringent substance obtaied from plants, it is used medicinally, as a dye and mordant, stabilizer in pesticide etc.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

Requires a damp humus rich soil in a sunny position or semi-shade, sheltered from strong winds. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn. The rootstock is rather tender, surviving to -10°c and requiring some protection away from the milder parts of Britain. This can be achieved by piling either bracken or the plants dying leaves around the crown. The top part of the inflorescence is male, the bottom is female and the middle is hermaphrodite. A very ornamental plant with huge leaves, it forms a slowly spreading dense clump. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a sandy mix in a cold frame. The seed can also be sown in a shady position in a greenhouse in the spring. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 8 weeks at 15°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division as new growth commences in the spring. The clumps can be planted out direct into their permanent positions.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Meadow; Bog Garden;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 6-9

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

G. chilensis. G. scabra.