Chilean gunnera
Gunnera tinctoria (Molina) Mirb.
Gunnera tinctoria is a large-leaved perennial plant native to southern Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia. Known as Chilean gunnera, it is often mistaken for rhubarb due to its appearance and culinary uses, though it is not closely related. Growing over 2 m tall, it is cultivated globally as an ornamental plant and has become naturalized in regions such as the UK, Ireland, and New Zealand. It is also known by the synonyms Gunnera chilensis and Gunnera scabra.
Description
Gunnera tinctoria (Molina) Mirb. belongs to the family Gunneraceae and is found in various regions including the Azores, Channel Islands, Ireland, the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and parts of Australia and New Zealand. First described in 1805, it is commonly called giant-rhubarb, Chilean rhubarb, quirusilla, or nalca. While not a true rhubarb, it shares a similar look and some uses. The plant has been widely introduced and is now considered an invasive species in some areas. It is valued for its ornamental qualities but can become problematic in the wild.
Other common names
Chilean gunneraGiant-rhubarbgiant rhubarbChilean rhubarbChilean-rhubarb
Distribution
Açores · São Miguel Island · IE · Belgium · France · The Netherlands · Great Britain · GB · PT · FR · Azores · Channel Is. · Ireland · Northern Ireland · England · Scotland · Wales · SE · AU · NZ · DK · NO · conterminous 48 United States · Flemish Region · British Columbia · Argentina South · California · Chile Central · Chile South · Oregon
Synonyms
Gunnera scabraPanke tinctoria