Gunnera tinctoria

Appearance

''Gunnera tinctoria'' is a giant, clump-forming herbaceous perennial. The leaves can grow up to 2.5m across, cordate and palmate with up to 9-lobed margins. The stems are covered in numerous spikes. It has erect spikes of cone-shaped inflorescences 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.

Naming

In parts of New Zealand the Chilean rhubarb has become a recognized pest plant. For instance in Taranaki, on the west coast of the North Island it was spread to riverbeds, coastal cliffs and forest margins. ''G. tinctoria'' is on the National Pest Plant Accord. Under Section 52 and 53 of the Biosecurity Act, it is an offence to knowingly propagate, distribute, spread, sell, offer for sale. In Great Britain it has become well-established and sometimes problematic in western districts and appears to be spreading. In the west of Ireland, ''G. tinctoria'' is a major invasive species, in particular on Achill Island and on Corraun Peninsula, County Mayo. Its large leaves create dense shade, preventing other species from germinating or growing.

Chilean rhubarb is classified in the European Union as an invasive species of Union concern, and it is illegal to import, grow, or sell it within the EU.

In the United Kingdom, the plant is classified under Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as an invasive species. While it remains legal to cultivate it, it is illegal to knowingly allow it to spread outside one's property, or to deliberately do so.A similar species is ''Gunnera manicata'' . This species may also be invasive.

Habitat

Stream and roadsides.

Uses

In its native Chile, where it is called ''nalca'' or ''pangue'', it is used in a similar way to European rhubarb: after peeling, the stalks are eaten fresh or cooked into jam or cordial. The leaves are used in the preparation of the traditional Chilean dish curanto.

Cultural

In October of 2019, photos of a produce vendor in Puerto Montt dressing himself in nalca leaves began circulating on Chilean social media under the name "Nalcaman". Because these photos were being shared around the same time as the beginning of the 2019–20 Chilean protests, Nalcaman has since become an element of the iconography surrounding Chile's anti-government protests.