gunnera: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Horticultural
Quick answer
What does “gunnera” mean?
A genus of very large-leaved herbaceous plants native to tropical and temperate regions of Central and South America and Australasia.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A genus of very large-leaved herbaceous plants native to tropical and temperate regions of Central and South America and Australasia.
Any plant of the genus Gunnera, known for its enormous, architectural foliage, often grown ornamentally in damp or boggy garden conditions. Informally used to refer specifically to the giant rhubarb (Gunnera manicata).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant usage differences; the term is equally specialized in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes large-scale, subtropical or temperate garden design, water features, or botanical collections.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language; its occurrence is confined to botanical texts, specialist gardening publications, and horticultural discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “gunnera” in a Sentence
[The] gunnera [flourishes/needs/thrives] [in damp soil/by the pond]To [plant/protect/overwinter] a gunneraVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in botanical, horticultural, and ecological texts.
Everyday
Virtually never used, except by keen gardeners.
Technical
The primary register; used in plant taxonomy, garden design, and horticultural guides.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gunnera”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gunnera”
- Incorrect spelling: 'gunneria', 'gunnara'.
- Mispronunciation as /ˈɡʌnɛrə/ or /ˈdʒʌnərə/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, though Gunnera manicata is commonly called 'giant rhubarb', it is botanically unrelated to culinary rhubarb (Rheum). Gunnera leaves are not edible and can cause skin irritation.
It thrives in damp, boggy soil in partial shade. It is hardy in milder temperate regions but requires winter protection from frost in colder areas.
The genus was named in honour of Johan Ernst Gunnerus (1718-1773), a Norwegian bishop and botanist.
In some regions with suitable climates (e.g., parts of the UK, New Zealand), Gunnera tinctoria is considered an invasive species, as it can crowd out native vegetation.
A genus of very large-leaved herbaceous plants native to tropical and temperate regions of Central and South America and Australasia.
Gunnera is usually technical/horticultural in register.
Gunnera: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡʌnərə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡʌnərə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
GUNNERA has GUNS (big, cannon-like stalks) and is named after a Norwegian botanist, Johan Ernst GUNNERUS.
Practice
Quiz
What is 'gunnera' primarily known for?