Gunnera petaloidea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gunnera petaloidea |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Gunnera
|
| Species: |
petaloidea
|
Gunnera petaloidea is a special plant found only in Hawaii. It grows on the islands of Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii. This plant loves very rainy mountain slopes, living at high places between 2,500 and 5,000 feet (762 to 1,524 meters) above sea level. The local Hawaiian name for this amazing plant is Apé or Apé-Apé.
Discovering the Giant Apé Plant
Gunnera petaloidea is known for its huge leaves. Imagine leaves so big they can be 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1.2 meters) wide! These leaves are shaped a bit like an umbrella, with the stem joining the leaf in the middle, not at the edge.
Stems and Roots
The giant leaves grow on thick, fleshy stalks. These stalks can be 2 to 4 feet (0.6 to 1.2 meters) long and 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 centimeters) thick. They come from a green underground stem called a rhizome. This rhizome is like a long, thick root that can be 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 meters) long and 4 to 5 inches (10.2 to 12.7 centimeters) wide.
The rhizome can also branch out and even stand up above the ground. It can reach a height of 1.5 to 4 feet (0.4 to 1.2 meters) above the soil. Because of its large leaves and spreading rhizome, one Gunnera petaloidea plant can cover an area as big as 20 square feet (1.86 square meters)!
Flowers and Reproduction
The flowers of Gunnera petaloidea appear in the middle of summer. They grow on a tall, branched stalk that can be 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 meters) high. This stalk has smaller branches that are 4 to 9 inches (10.2 to 22.9 centimeters) long.
The tiny petals of the flowers are only 2 to 6 millimeters (0.08 to 0.24 inches) long and grow in pairs. The plant also has two stamen (the parts that make pollen) that are about 2 millimeters (0.08 inches) long. These stamen are located right across from the petals.
