gunnera

[guhn-er-uh, guh-neer-uh]

noun

1. any tropical plant of the genus Gennera, native to South America, having enormous leaves resembling rhubarb.

gunnera

/ ˈɡʌnərə /

noun

1. any herbaceous perennial plant of the genus Gunnera, found throughout the S hemisphere and cultivated for its large leaves

Word History and Origins

Origin of gunnera¹

First recorded in 1785–90; from New Latin, genus name, after Johan Ernst Gunnerus (1718-83), Norwegian botanist

Word History and Origins

Origin of gunnera¹

C18: named after J. E. Gunnerus (1718–73), Norwegian bishop and botanist

Example Sentences

Thirsty plants, such as astilbe, gunnera, ligularia and canna lilies, thrive where water is readily available during the growing season.

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At the pond shoreline, she planted huge Gunnera manicata, which has spread along the water’s edge over the years and is flanked by reed grass.

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Cranz paused, and looked at the cluster of Gunnera, which was framed by residential buildings across the way.

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As we walked through the park, he rattled off species names enthusiastically, offering backstories for incense cedars and Gunnera—clusters of gigantic, sandpaper-like leaves often referred to as “dinosaur food.”

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The gunnera plants in the front lawn were so overgrown that they reached the roof, a colony of Audrey II’s from “Little Shop of Horrors.”

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