Gunnera manicata ( Brazilian Rhubarb ) is a large herbaceous plant that is native to the Serro do Mar mountains in Brazil. The Brazilian Rhubarb is renowned for its huge leaves which can reach up to 120 cm (4 feet). They make stunning ornamental plants in shaded locations of the garden. Within two short years they can grow to a size of around 3 x 3 metres (10 x 10 feet).
Suitable for shaded areas in Temperate, Sub-Tropical and Tropical climates.
Also commonly known as Brazilian Giant Rhubarb, Giant Rhubarb, Giant Gunnera or simply Dinosaur Food.
The smaller, hardier and more invasive Chilean Rhubarb is often mistaken, and even sold off by nurseries as the Brazilian Rhubarb. Similar in characteristics, the Chilean Rhubarb is much easier to find considerably cheaper.
Growth
Gunnera manicata is a perennial plant that can reach a height of up to 3 metres (10 feet) and the width of 4 metres (14 feet) in shaded areas. Brazilian Rhubarb does not tolerate hot sun, dry soils or temperatures below 5°C / 41°F. Not related to Rhubarb, they get their name from the close resemblance of their leaves. The main attraction is their leaves which are palmately shaped with prominent veins and a toothed margin. They grow on reddish-hairy stalks that can reach over 2 metres (7 feet) long.
Reddish-green flowers start to appear in Summer, followed by reddish fruits that resemble berries.
In colder climates such as in England young plants are dug out prior to winter, protected over winter and then replanted once temperatures increase again in Spring. In preparation for the second winter, the much larger maturing Brazilian Rhubarb becomes too big to move and instead gets a heavy mulching at the base. This still results in die back but helps to protect the roots for a revival in the warmer months.
Unlike most plants, Brazilian Rhubarb thrives in boggy soils such as those found next to ponds and watercourses.
One gardener on Dave’s Garden discovered the Brazilian Rhubarb growing well in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
A few years ago I was in Amsterdam botanical garden where they were very proud of having finally grown a large stand of this plant. The winters in the Netherlands are cold and damp. Their technique was to grow it at the side of an ornamental pool with continuous moisture in the summer but in the winter they drop the water level and mulch heavily.
FAMILY:
Gunneraceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate, Sub-Tropical, Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
5°C to 25°C / 41 to 77°F
SOIL TYPE:
Moist, clay or boggy soils.
LOCATION:
Shade
HEIGHT:
Average of up to 3 metres (10 feet)
WIDTH:
Average of up to 4 metres (14 feet)
pH:
5.5-7.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium-High
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by Wind.
MATURITY:
24 months
GERMINATION RATES:
65-85%
GERMINATION TIME:
Up to 4 weeks
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 650
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
No
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge). 1 year
FACTS ABOUT GUNNERA MANICATA (Brazilian Rhubarb)
Giant Rhubarb was first introduced into Europe in the 1860s and were first described by Norwegian Johan Gunner.
Manicata in Latin means ‘having long sleeves’.
It is thought the plant existed over 150 million years which adds weight to their name as Dinosaur Food.
Brazilian Rhubarb has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
