gunnera

American  

[guhn-er-uh, guh-neer-uh] / ˈgʌn ər ə, gəˈnɪər ə /

noun

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

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gunnera British  

/ ˈɡʌnərə /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of gunnera

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

Example Sentences

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

From Seattle Times

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.

From Seattle Times

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

From The New Yorker

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.”

From The New Yorker

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.”

From New York Times