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Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food

Gunnera Tinctoria

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Overview

The Chilean Gunnera, also known as Dinosaur Food (Gunnera tinctoria), is a colossal, prehistoric-looking perennial. Its mammoth rhubarb-like leaves can span up to 8 feet, creating a dramatic canopy. Suited for zones 7-10, it thrives in moist, humus-rich soil and partial shade. Ideal for waterside plantings, it requires ample space, with a spread of up to 10 feet, to accommodate its sprawling growth habit and hefty stature.

Sun Half, ShadeWater HighZones 8–11Type Aquatic, PerennialClimate Temperate

Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — perennial plant hailing from the rainforest climates in South America; and their umbrella-like formation

Culture

Sun: Half, Shade
Water: High
USDA zones: 8–11

Shape & size

Classification

Type: Aquatic, Perennial
Family: Gunneraceae
Climate: Temperate

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Photos (78)

Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — Ideal for waterside plantings; perennial plant hailing from the rainforest climates in South, image 51

Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — aquatic / perennial for half or shade; humus-rich soil to mimic its native damp environments

Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — commonly referred to as Dinosaur Food or Giant Rhubarb

Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — the Chilean Gunnera produces erect; conical inflorescences that can attain heights of up to 6 feet

Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — coarse-textured leaves that can reach an impressive span of up to 8 feet across; ideal for waterside

Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — Ideal for waterside plantings; perennial plant hailing from the rainforest climates in South America

Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — Suited for zones 7-10, it thrives in moist, humus-rich soil and partial shade

Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — humus-rich soil to mimic its native damp environments

Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — humus-rich soil to mimic its native damp environments; account for its need for significant soil moisture

Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — coarse-textured leaves that can reach an impressive span of up to 8 feet across; ideal for, image 57

Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — boasting shades of reddish-green flowers.<br><br>This plant thrives in USDA hardiness zones 7-10; commonly

Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — giving it a decidedly primeval ambiance

Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — Ideal for waterside plantings

Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — to accommodate its sprawling growth habit and hefty stature; aquatic / perennial for half or shade

Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — conical inflorescences that can attain heights of up to 6 feet; also known as Dinosaur Food (Gunnera

Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — giving it a decidedly primeval ambiance, image 35

Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — coarse-textured leaves that can reach an impressive span of up to 8 feet across

Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — It requires ample room to grow, potentially spreading up to 10 feet wide

Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — perennial plant hailing from the rainforest climates in South America; and their umbrella-like, image 55

Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — Scientifically known as Gunnera tinctoria

Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — and their umbrella-like formation is supported on thick

Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — perennial plant hailing from the rainforest climates in South America

Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — Its mammoth rhubarb-like leaves can span up to 8 feet, creating a dramatic canopy

Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — aquatic / perennial for half or shade

Photographs by 10 contributors

Daniela Colleoni Villagrán, CC BY 4.0 · source
Draceane, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Margaret Donald, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Steve King, CC BY 4.0 · source
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Emőke Dénes, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Ewen Cameron, CC BY 4.0 · source
Dryas, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
JCNazza, CC BY 3.0 · source

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