gunnera Bot.
(ˈgʌnərə, gʌˈnɪərə)
[mod.L. (Linnæus Mantissa Plantarum (1767) 16), f. the name of J. E. Gunnerus (1718–73), Norwegian bishop and botanist.]
A plant of the genus so called, esp. G. manicata, cultivated for its large ornamental leaves; cf. prickly rhubarb (s.v. prickly a.).
| 1789 W. Aiton Hortus Kewensis III. 304 Marsh Mary⁓gold-leav'd Gunnera. 1823 Curtis's Bot. Mag. L. 2376 (heading) Cape Gunnera. 1900 W. G. Baker in W. D. Drury Bk. Gardening xx. 891 Conspicuous among water⁓side plants that are valued chiefly for their ornamental foliage are the giant Gunneras. 1930 Times Lit. Suppl. 18 Dec. 1079/2 We find bilberry, ling and woody night⁓shade included, but not guelder-rose nor gunnera. 1961 Amateur Gardening 23 Dec. 2 From the water garden we could take a stalk or two of the giant gunnera. |