Botanical name
Gunnera perpensaFamily
GunneraceaeCommon Name
River Pumpkin, Wild Rhubarb, Iphuzi LomlamboDescription
Robust rhizomatous perennial up to 1m, thinly hairy. Leaves large, round or kidney-shaped up to 20cm across, margins lobed, with small rough edged teeth, long leaf stalks up to 45cm; tiny stalkless flowers in spike-like heads, purple, pinkish reddish-brown; male flowers above, female below. Fruit small and fleshy.
After: Johan Ernst Gunnerus (1718-1773), Norwegian bishop of Trondheim and botanist.
Habitat
Marshes and seeps, edges of streams
Flower Date
October to February