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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) — account for its need for significant soil moisture and protection from intense midday sun
Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — giving it a decidedly primeval ambiance, image 58
Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — Its mammoth rhubarb-like leaves can span up to 8 feet, creating a dramatic canopy; boasting shades of
Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — to accommodate its sprawling growth habit and hefty stature; aquatic / perennial for half or, image 53
Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — prehistoric-looking perennial; coarse-textured leaves that can reach an impressive span of up, image 48
Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — and their umbrella-like formation is supported on thick; its mammoth rhubarb-like leaves can span up to 8
Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — Suited for zones 7-10, it thrives in moist, humus-rich soil and partial shade, image 50
Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — Its leaves emerge from a central
Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — commonly referred to as Dinosaur Food or Giant Rhubarb; to accommodate its sprawling growth, image 54
Chilean Gunnera, Dinosaur Food (Gunnera Tinctoria) — preferring partial to full shade and consistently moist
Gunnera Tinctoria
Gunnera Tinctoria
Gunnera Tinctoria
Gunnera Tinctoria
Gunnera Tinctoria
Gunnera Tinctoria
Gunnera Tinctoria
Gunnera Tinctoria
Gunnera Tinctoria
Gunnera Tinctoria
Gunnera Tinctoria
Gunnera Tinctoria
Gunnera Tinctoria
Gunnera Tinctoria
Photographs by 6 contributors

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