Common Name:

General Information

Gunnera apiculata is a stemless, herbaceous, perennial plant growing from a stout rhizome; it produces a cluster of large leaves around 60 - 100cm wide on petioles around 10 - 30cm long and 6mm in diameter[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its large leaves and ability to thrive in wet soils[]. The plant has potential for use in soil stabilization and restoration projects[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Western S. America - northwest Argentina, Bolivia

Habitat

; at elevations from 2,340 - 3,800 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.80 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

It is believed that species of the genus Gunnera have existed for about 95 million years[].
Gunnera species are unique in the plant realm through having a symbiotic relationship with a cyanobacteria (Nostoc punctiforme and others). This relationship provides nitrogen to the Gunnera and carbon to the cyanobacteria[]. The genus Nostoc is cosmopolitan and common, so it is likely to be naturally present in the wet habitats in which Gunnera grows[, ].

Edible Uses

The leaf stem is peeled and eaten[]. Refreshing[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

Gunnera species have a high potential for use in the recovery of lands affected by erosion, given their condition as colonizing plants that are capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen through symbiosis with the cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiform[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe, it germinates best in very moist, but not wet, conditions and temperatures of around 22 - 29°c..

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