About Gunnera tinctoria (Molina) Mirb.
Gunnera tinctoria (Molina) Mirb. is a giant, clump-forming herbaceous perennial plant. Its leaves can reach up to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) across; they are cordate, palmate, and have margins with up to 9 lobes. Numerous spikes cover the plant's stems. From spring to early summer, it produces erect panicles of cone-shaped inflorescences that grow 1 meter (3.3 ft) tall and can weigh as much as 14 kg (30 lb), and these inflorescences hold small dimerous flowers. The fruit of Gunnera tinctoria is orange. Seed production estimates range from 80,000 seeds per seedhead to 250,000 seeds per individual plant. This species grows in habitats near streams and roadsides. In its native Chile, where it is known locally as nalca or pangue, Gunnera tinctoria is used similarly to European rhubarb. After peeling, the stalks are eaten fresh, or cooked to make jam or cordial. Its leaves are used to prepare the traditional Chilean dish curanto. Traditionally, the plant's roots are also used to tan leather and produce a black dye. This species is rarely cultivated; instead, stalks are harvested from wild populations and informally sold commercially by local people called nalqueros.
