Gunnera tinctoria
Encyclopedia
Gunnera tinctoria, the Chilean rhubarb, is a plant species native to southern Chile
and neighbour zones in Argentina
. It is a large-leaved perennial plant
that grows up to two metres tall. It is introduced in large parts of the world as an ornamental
and edible plant. In some countries (for instance New Zealand and Ireland) it has spread from gardens and is becoming a weed problem.
It is known under the synonyms
:
s (to 1m) from spring to early summer, with small flowers. The fruit is orange. The number of seeds is estimated from 80.000 per seedhead to 250.000 per plant.
it was spread to riverbeds, coastal cliffs and forest margins. G. tinctoria is on the National Pest Plant Accord
. Under Section 52 and 53 of the Biosecurity Act, it is an offence to knowingly propagate, distribute, spread, sell, offer for sale.
In the west of Ireland, G Tinctoria is a major invasive species, in particular on Achill Island
and on Corraun Peninsula, County Mayo
.
Its large leaves create dense shade, preventing other species from germinating or growing.
The Chilean rhubarb can be controlled by removing the entire plant. Chemical control is advised.
(the giant rhubarb). This species may also be invasive.
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
and neighbour zones in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
. It is a large-leaved perennial plant
Perennial plant
A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives for more than two years. The term is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter lived annuals and biennials. The term is sometimes misused by commercial gardeners or horticulturalists to describe only herbaceous perennials...
that grows up to two metres tall. It is introduced in large parts of the world as an ornamental
Ornamental plant
Ornamental plants are plants that are grown for decorative purposes in gardens and landscape design projects, as house plants, for cut flowers and specimen display...
and edible plant. In some countries (for instance New Zealand and Ireland) it has spread from gardens and is becoming a weed problem.
It is known under the synonyms
Synonym (taxonomy)
In scientific nomenclature, a synonym is a scientific name that is or was used for a taxon of organisms that also goes by a different scientific name. For example, Linnaeus was the first to give a scientific name to the Norway spruce, which he called Pinus abies...
:
- Gunnera chilensis Lam.Jean-Baptiste LamarckJean-Baptiste Pierre Antoine de Monet, Chevalier de la Marck , often known simply as Lamarck, was a French naturalist...
- Gunnera scabra RuizHipólito Ruiz LópezHipólito Ruiz López , or Hipólito Ruiz, was a Spanish botanist known for researching the floras of Peru and Chile during an expedition under Carlos III from 1777 to 1788...
& Pav.
Description
Gunnera tinctoria is a giant, clump-forming herbaceous perennial. The leaves can grow up to 2.5m across. It has erect spikes of cone-shaped inflorescenceInflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
s (to 1m) from spring to early summer, with small flowers. The fruit is orange. The number of seeds is estimated from 80.000 per seedhead to 250.000 per plant.
Invasive species
In parts of New Zealand the Chilean rhubarb has become a recognised pest plant. For instance in Taranaki, on the west coast of the North IslandNorth Island
The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the much less populous South Island by Cook Strait. The island is in area, making it the world's 14th-largest island...
it was spread to riverbeds, coastal cliffs and forest margins. G. tinctoria is on the National Pest Plant Accord
National Pest Plant Accord
The National Pest Plant Accord identifies pest plants that are prohibited from sale and commercial propagation and distribution across New Zealand....
. Under Section 52 and 53 of the Biosecurity Act, it is an offence to knowingly propagate, distribute, spread, sell, offer for sale.
In the west of Ireland, G Tinctoria is a major invasive species, in particular on Achill Island
Achill Island
Achill Island in County Mayo is the largest island off the coast of Ireland, and is situated off the west coast. It has a population of 2,700. Its area is . Achill is attached to the mainland by Michael Davitt Bridge, between the villages of Gob an Choire and Poll Raithní . A bridge was first...
and on Corraun Peninsula, County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
.
Its large leaves create dense shade, preventing other species from germinating or growing.
The Chilean rhubarb can be controlled by removing the entire plant. Chemical control is advised.
Similar species
A similar species is Gunnera manicataGunnera manicata
Gunnera manicata, or giant rhubarb, a native of Brazil, is an ornamental plant in the Gunneraceae family.The underside of the leaf and the whole stalk have spikes on them. The leaves of Gunnera grow to an impressive size...
(the giant rhubarb). This species may also be invasive.
Literature
- Department of Conservation (NZ) - Plant me instead. Wellington (New Zealand) 2005. ISBN 047814007X
- Department of Conservation - leaflet: "Chilean Rhubarb; shading out our natives", Wanganui. March 2006.
External links
- Gunnera tinctoria
- Gunnera tinctoria at Biosecurity New Zealand
- images