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Gunnera Petaloidea

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Gunnera petaloidea is a species of Gunnera endemic to Hawaii on the islands Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii. It is found on slopes which receive torrential precipitation at an altitude between 2,500–5,000 feet (760–1,520 m). The Hawaiian name for this plant is Apé or Apé-Apé.

Description

Gunnera petaloidea is about 4 feet wide at the plants crest. The leaves span out 10-20 feet long (3- 6 m) and a height of about 6-8 (1-2 meters) feet high. In the hanging valleys that are in the area the precipitation is torrential and most of the vegetation in that area is the hygrophytic type. The Gunnera petaloidea has an extremely soft rhizome and can be severed by any sharp blade. Inside the rhizome is crude starch and conspicuous fibers creating endophytic algae. The Gunnera petalopid roots spread freely along the wet soil. The Gunnera petaloidea has no bark it just has the fleshy green stems; the rhizome is about 4 to 5 inches (10-20 cm) in diameter. The apical meristem region is 18-24 inches (45-61 cm) long.

Cultivaton

Just like ferns the Gunnera petaloidea goes through sexual reproduction from spores. The panicles are terminal though. With that there is branching from near the base. The branches have spikes that are about 4-9 inches long (10- 23 cm).

The Gunnera petaloidea grow season is in the summer.  

Other Uses

As of now the known natives did not utilize the Gunnera petaloidea in any way

Toxicity

The Gunnera petaloidea is non toxic

Distribution[edit]

USA

(HI)

Gallery

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  Laves
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  Spike bundles
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  Flowering bud
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  in the habitat