Gunnera magellanica PFAF Plant Database

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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Gunnera magellanica is a PERENNIAL.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from July to August. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

One report says that the fruit might be edible[177]. The fruit is about 5mm in diameter[200].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

A carpeting plant that roots as it spreads, it is suitable for ground cover when spaced about 45cm apart each way[208].

Special Uses

Food Forest Ground cover

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a damp humus rich soil in a sunny position or semi-shade[1, 200]. Prefers a cool moist position[208]. Plants are hardy to at least -10°c[187]. The plant has a creeping root and spreads to form extensive patches[187]. The top part of the inflorescence is male, the bottom is female and the middle is hermaphrodite according to one report whilst another says that the flowers are unisexual without saying if the two sexes are on the same plant[200]. Male and female flowers are on separate plants[188]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a sandy mix in a cold frame[200]. The seed can also be sown in the spring[188]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division as new growth commences in the spring[200]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

SOUTHERN AMERICA: Argentina (Chubut, Mendoza, Neuquén, Río Negro, Santa Cruz, Tierra del Fuego), Chile

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Gunnera perpensa		Perennial	0.5	-		LMH	SN	M	1	0
Gunnera tinctoria	Gunnera, Chilean gunnera	Perennial	2.0	6-9		LMH	SN	M	1	1	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Expert comment

Author

Lam.

Botanical References

69200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment


BILL WALLACE	Fri Dec 1 2006

I am going to try to grow this plant for its huge leaves. Near the top of this page says it grows .02 meters by 1 meter. ERROR! .02??? More likely 2 meters if anything.


Ken Fern, Plants for a Future	Sat Dec 2 2006

In answer to Bill, this species is a low growing species that spreads to make a reasonable ground cover. The large leaved species in this genus are Gunnera manicata and G. tinctoria. These produce very large leaves (they can be 1 metre wide) on large stems that can be 2 metres tall.


Elizabeth	Tue Nov 3 2009

Be careful with this one because if it is very happy it will swamp anything in it's path! I have just had to relocate a large patch generated from one plant in order to rescue other perennials that it was climbing over! Great ground cover though for around shrubs in damp soil. The weeds don't stand a chance! One online nursery had it's spread as 30cm, this is NOT true.

Gunnera magellanica - Lam.