Gunnera apiculata

Botanical Description

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[ 1922 Title Gunneraceae Publication Flora Neotropica Monograph 109 Author Mora-Osejo L.E., Pabón-Mora N. & González F. Publisher The New York Botanical Garden Press; New York Year 2011 ISBN 978-0-89327-508-2 Description ]. 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[ 1922 Title Gunneraceae Publication Flora Neotropica Monograph 109 Author Mora-Osejo L.E., Pabón-Mora N. & González F. Publisher The New York Botanical Garden Press; New York Year 2011 ISBN 978-0-89327-508-2 Description ]. The plant has potential for use in soil stabilization and restoration projects[ 1922 Title Gunneraceae Publication Flora Neotropica Monograph 109 Author Mora-Osejo L.E., Pabón-Mora N. & González F. Publisher The New York Botanical Garden Press; New York Year 2011 ISBN 978-0-89327-508-2 Description ].