Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Gunnerales Takht. ex Reveal
Family
Gunneraceae
Genus
Gunnera L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Gunnera monoica Raoul, Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot. sér. 3, 2: 117 (1844)
Synonymy:
  • = Gunnera ×strigosa Colenso, Trans. New Zealand Inst. 15: 322 (1882 [1883])
  • = Gunnera strigosa Colenso, Trans. New Zealand Inst. 15: 322 (1883)
  • ≡ Gunnera monoica var. strigosa (Colenso) Kirk, Trans. New Zealand Inst. 27: 343 (1895)
  • = Gunnera ovata Petrie, Trans. New Zealand Inst. 25: 274 (1892 [1893]) pro parte
  • = Gunnera ×mixta Kirk, Trans. New Zealand Inst. 27: 344 (1895)
  • = Gunnera monoica var. albocarpa Kirk, Trans. New Zealand Inst. 27: 344 (1895)
  • ≡ Gunnera albocarpa (Kirk) Cockayne, Rep. Bot. Surv. Stewart Island 43 (1909)
  • = Gunnera microcarpa Kirk, Trans. New Zealand Inst. 27: 348? (1895)
 Description

Monoecious herb. Lvs (1)–2–6–(9) cm long; lamina very variable in shape, usually broadly ovate or orbicular, shallowly to deeply cordate, not lobed or shallowly to deeply lobed, coarsely dentate or crenate, subcoriaceous, usually hairy. Infl. with ♂ fls above ♀. Infructescence usually hidden among lvs, sometimes partly exposed. Drupes spaced along stalk or clustered, barrel-shaped, white, often flecked with purple or red, or very rarely (probably hybrids) entirely orange or red; seed free within fleshy envelope.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Oct.–Nov.; Fruiting: Dec.–Feb.

 Bibliography
Cockayne, L. 1909: Report on a Botanical Survey of Stewart Island. Government Printer, Wellington, N.Z.
Colenso, W. 1883: Descriptions of a few new indigenous plants. Transactions of the New Zealand Institute 15: 320–339.
de Lange, P.J.; Gosden, J.; Courtney, S.P.; Fergus, A.J.; Barkla, J.W.; Beadel, S.M.; Champion, P.D., Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Makan, T.; Michel, P. 2024: Conservation status of vascular plants in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2023. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 43. [Not threatened]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Not Threatened]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [Not Threatened]
Kirk, T. 1895: On the New Zealand Species of Gunnera, L. Transactions of the New Zealand Institute 27: 341–348.
Petrie, D. 1893 ("1892"): Description of a New Genus and of New Species of Native Plants, etc. Transactions of the New Zealand Institute 25: 269–275.
Raoul, E. 1844: Choix de plantes de la Nouvelle-Zélande. Recueillies et décrites par M.E. Raoul. Annales des Sciences Naturelles; Botanique sér. 3, 2: 113–123.