(Last Modified On 1/11/2013)
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(Last Modified On 1/11/2013)
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Genus
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GUNNERA L.
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PlaceOfPublication
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Mant. 1: 16. 1767.
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Synonym
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Perpensuin Burm. f. Fl. Cap. Prodr. 30 (err. typ. 26). 1768. Panke Molina, Sagg. Chile 143. 1782. Dysemone Soland. ex Forst. f. in Comment. Goetting. 9:45. 1789. Misandra Comm. ex Juss. Gen. 305. 1789. Milligania Hook. f. in Hook. Icon. t. 299. 1840. Misandropsis Oerst. in Kjoebenhavn Vid. Meddel. 192. 1857. Pankea Oerst. loc. cit. 1857, var. typ. Gunneropsis Oerst. loc. cit. 193. 1857. Pseudo-Gunnera Oerst. loc. cit. 1857.
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Description
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Perennial scapose herbs, our species very massive, with condensed succulent suberect or rhizomatous stems. Leaves proportionally large, long-petiolate, the blade palmately veined, broadly subreniform-cordate to suborbicular, variously lobed and incised, the petiole subtended by more or less conspicuous intra-axillary or ochreate stipules. Inflorescence scapose, paniculate, racemose or capituliform, bearing numerous minute sessile, ebracteate, hermaphrodite or unisexual epigynous flowers. Calyx lobes 2, minute, persistent but seldom accrescent. Petals 2 or 0, minute when present, deciduous. Stamens 2 or rarely 1, the anther basifixed, 2-celled, longitudinally dehiscent. Ovary inferior, 1-celled, containing a single pendulous ovule; stigma lobes 2 or rarely 1, sessile, filamentous, densely papillose. Fruit a minute 1-seeded drupe.
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Habit
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herb
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Distribution
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About 25 species chiefly of the high mountains of the western American cor- dillera from Chiapas to Tierra del Fuego, but with 9 described species in New Zealand and Tasmania and scattering species in eastern Brazil (Rio de Janeiro), Indonesia, Philippines, Hawaii, South Africa, Madagascar, and the high mountains of East Africa: a most puzzling and interesting distribution.
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Note
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Because of the huge size of most species, Gunnera is a poor representative for Haloragidaceae, the other genera of which are rather small aquatic or subaquatic herbs such as the Parrot Feather (Myriophyllum brasiliense Camb.), a common aquarium plant in the north. The watery stems and petioles of G. insignis are inhabited by colonies of an endophytic alga, Nostoc gunnerae, which are seen easily if the plants are gashed with a machete.
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