Gunnera petaloidea is a species of Gunnera endemic to Hawaii on the islands Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii.[1] 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.[2]
| Gunnera petaloidea | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Gunnerales |
| Family: | Gunneraceae |
| Genus: | Gunnera |
| Species: | G. petaloidea
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| Binomial name | |
| Gunnera petaloidea Gaudich.
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Description
editGunnera petaloidea has peltate leaves that are 3–4 feet (0.91–1.22 m) in diameter on fleshy stalks that are 2–4 feet (0.61–1.22 m) long and 3–4 inches (7.6–10.2 cm) in diameter. The stalks grow from a green rhizome that is 6–8 feet (1.8–2.4 m) long and 4–5 inches (10–13 cm) in diameter. The rhizome is branched and can stand 1.5–4 feet (0.46–1.22 m) above the soil. The plant can cover a total area as much as 20 square feet (1.9 m2).[2]
The flowers bloom in mid-summer and grow from a branched stalk that is 2–3 feet (0.61–0.91 m) tall with 4–9 inches (10–23 cm) long branches. Petals are 2–6 millimetres (0.079–0.236 in) long and grow in pairs. The stamen also come in pairs that are 2 millimetres (0.079 in) long and are positioned opposite the petals.[2]
References
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- ^ "Gunnera petaloidea - Details - Encyclopedia of Life". Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
- ^ a b c MacCaughey, Vaughan (January 1917). "Gunnera petaloidea Gaud., A Remarkable Plant of the Hawaiian Islands". American Journal of Botany. 4: 33–39. doi:10.1002/j.1537-2197.1917.tb05440.x. ISSN 0002-9122.