Chiba University Matsudo/Kashiwa Campus Plant Database

Details of genus: Gunnera L. [560]

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accepted: Accepted

Family: Gunneraceae

family_ja: グンネラ

Infra familial classification:

distribution_en: Trop. & S.Africa, S.America, Mal

description_en: Genus of about 45 species of summer-flowering, rhizomatous, herbaceous or evergreen perennials from moist areas in southern Africa, Australasia, and South America. Gunneras vary in size from diminutive and mat-forming to extremely large and clump-forming with massive leaves. They are cultivated primarily for their handsome foliage, although in some species the flower spikes and fruits are also attractive. The leaves are rounded to ovate, often heart-shaped, lobed, and usually toothed. The tiny, usually greenish yellow flowers are produced in dense, upright, brush-like spikes or panicles; the basal flowers are normally female, the uppermost male, with those in between sometimes bisexual. A few species are dioecious. Large species are excellent architectural plants for the edge of a pond or stream, or a bog garden, while smaller ones are suitable for a rock garden or an alpine house.

hardiness_en: Fully hardy to frost hardy. Most fully hardy species are not reliably cold-tolerant below about -12°C ( 10°F).

cultivation_en:

propagation_en: Sow seed in containers as soon as ripe, and keep cool but frost-free through the winter; germination is slow. Seed quickly loses viability. Large species may also be increased by taking cuttings of leafy, basal buds in spring. Divide small species in spring.

pests_en: Prone to slug and snail damage outdoors; under glass, may be susceptible to aphids and whiteflies.

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comment_ja: グンネラ

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Update Information: Created: 2007-12-06 12:51; Updated: 2022-03-09 15:20

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