Gunnera perpensa -

Family:	Gunneraceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.45
Synonyms:
Range:	S. Africa.

Gunnera perpensa () is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.45m . It has a hardness rating of 0.
Gunnera perpensa will flower in February. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Gunnera perpensa will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Gunnera perpensa prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Gunnera perpensa can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Marshes, from Ceres to Paarl, Peninsula to Port Elizabeth.

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

Requires a damp humus rich soil in a sunny position or semi-shade[1, 200]. The top part of the inflorescence is male, the bottom is female and the middle is hermaphrodite[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
Leaves - chewed or cooked[177]. Leaf stem - raw[177].

• Leaves -
• Stem - this often intergrades into leaves.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

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.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
F. Chittendon.
Author: F. Chittendon.
Rating:
Publisher : Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
Date of Publication : 1951

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