Photographs: Co. Cork

Brazilian Giant-rhubarb Gunnera manicata Gunnaire na mbláth mór Family: Gunneraceae Flowering from early summer. Perennial. Introduced Tiny individual flowers in very large, dense, cone-like inflorescences are followed by orange fruits containing many small seeds. The lobed leaves can be more than 2m wide with spines on the undersides and the thick stems are also covered with prickly spines. Height to 2.5m, spread to 4m Originally from southern Brazil, frequently grown as an architectural plant. Scattered distribution as a garden escape or discard throughout Ireland but thought to be less invasive than Giant-rhubarb, Gunnera tinctoria

Brazilian Giant-rhubarb, Gunnera manicata, Gunnaire na mbláth mór