View source for Gunnera tinctoria

{{SPlantbox
|familia=Gunneraceae
|genus=Gunnera
|species=tinctoria
|common_name=Gunnera chilensis, Gunnera scabra
|name_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
|habit=herbaceous
|habit_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
|Max ht box=6
|Max ht metric=ft
|height_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
|Max wd box=8
|Max wd metric=ft
|width_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
|lifespan=perennial
|life_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
|exposure=sun
|sun_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
|features=flowers, edible, naturalizes, invasive, foliage, ground cover
|flower_season=early summer, mid summer, late summer
|flower_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
|flowers=red, pink
|Temp Metric=°F
|min_zone=7
|usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
|max_zone=9
|image=Gunnera tinctoria 6.jpg
|image_width=240
}}
'''''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 plant|ornamental]] and edible plant. In some countries (for instance New Zealand and Ireland) it has spread from gardens and is becoming a weed problem.

''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 [[inflorescence]]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. In parts of New Zealand the Chilean rhubarb has become a recognised pest plant.

{{Inc|
Gunnera chilensis, Lam. (G. scabra, Ruiz & Pav.). Not so robust, the lvs. smaller and less spiny, and the fl.-spikes less tall: fls. reddish.—Thrives in drier soil. Var. major, Hort., is a very strong-growing form.
}}