PlantFiles: Giant Rhubarb, Chilean Gunnera, Chilean Rhubarb, Dinosaur Food
Gunnera tinctoria

love this massive plant, but can't grow it here in inland Southern California- just too hot for it. No idea how to tell this species from Gunnera manicata... seems most who uploaded photos don't either. The photos I uploaded for this one were identified as such by the botanical gardens, but who knows if they know the differences, either. If anyone does, that would be great to add to this site.

Does best in partial shade. Mine is wind protected, under a heavily pruned magnolia tree in a peaty, acid soil with lots of leaf mold and organic matter--no alkaline lawn fertilizers, please. I used this to fill a 4' by 6' planting hole and lined it with impermeable pond lining material. When planting it is vital that the root crown is above the soil level and not allowed to sit in standing water or wet soil, as it will ROT. It can get wet but must be allowed to dry off. The beast needs constant moisture and fertilizing. Miracle-Gro is an ineffectual waste of money, and manure--while traditional--wasn't for me. I found that the best way is to use the Laguna 16-9-12 once-a-year fertilizer pond spikes recommended for aquatic plants like water lilies. They're ventilated plastic tubes with fertilizer crystals that feed for up to a year. I place three around the plant during the growing season and take them out before the first frost. More might be better as the plant grows; since they're time released it shouldn't pose a hazard. Less than $15 buys you three spikes that will last you two growing seasons--nothing to do but refill the bog and enjoy. Before the first frost (Halloween for me) I cut the leaves and stems off cleanly and place them upside down over the root crown. A snap-together 1.5' section of large metal ducting or open-topped barrel section is placed around the crown and filled with leaves for winter insulation that will breathe but not blow away. Replace leaves as needed to keep your plant protected. After the last frost, uncover your beauty, add the spikes and water, and watch it grow! In the past two years my plant has doubled in size with no end in sight. I suppose I should water it more often. Copper tape around the stems controls snail and slug damage. Overhead and underside spraying of the leaves helps to dislodge spit bugs and other insects that suck the juices and cause brown spots. Tobacco water or mild soaps can be quite effective, too. Have fun with this one and don't be afraid! They're a lot of fun and you'll want more than one. Actually it's divided twice already with this regimen, so I already have!

I love this plant! It is a nice conversation piece, and very easy to grow.. It can also be grown in containers! It does need alot of water, dont let it dry out, fertalize it with a complete fertalizer every other month, to get maximum leaf size! Kinda fast grower. Very nice mixed in with ground cover. I have mine in part sun, and he is doing well, he is also in a pot! Have seen these with leaves up to 8 feet long by 7 feet wide, very very attractive!

The popular names for this Chilean native plant are Nalca and Pangue. Its natural habitat is on damp or boggy, shady places, always close to water.

It is an herbaceous perennial with rhizomes and reaches 2 to 3 m height. This plant requires full or partial shade, although it can grow with some sun in which case it will not reach its full size.

The leaf-stems are edible. They are mainly consumed as salad ('peeling' the stems like cellery, and cutting in small pices). They have a very nice sour taste.

Propagation: either by division of rhyzomes in early spring or from seeds (stratified) in Autumn, using a mix of 1 portion regular garden soil, one portion compost and one portion previously soaked (24 hours) peat, plus 1/2 portion river sand.

Grows here in the Puget Sound area of Western Washington. Great exotic looking plant, requires lots of water. Will love being planted next to a pond or stream. Will die back to the ground here in the winter, but will quickly be the beauty it is again the next year. Leaves are massive, course textured. Very interesting plant in the landscape.