CHILEAN RHUBARB

Gunnera tinctoria

COLLECTION

Woodland Garden

FAMILY

Gunneraceae

PLANT TYPE

Herbaceous Perennial

ZONE

7-9

CULTURE

Prefers partial shade in wet or moist soil.

NOTEWORTHY CHARACTERISTICS

Gunnera tinctoria is a giant clump-forming herbaceous perennial. Foliage is cordate and palmate and can grow up to 8 feet across. It has erect 3 1/2 feet spikes of cone-shaped inflorescences that emerge from spring to early summer with small flowers, and small, orange fruits. The number of seeds from a single plant is estimated to be 80,000 and 250,000.

PROBLEMS

None

GARDEN USES

Chilean Rhubarb has been used as both an ornamental and edible. It is a great specimen for very wet areas. Its large leaves create dense shade suppressing other species from developing.

HISTORY

Native to southern Chile, this perennial has been considered invasive in New Zealand and Ireland due to its aggressive nature to suppress other species.