Botanical name:

Gunnera dentata 

Common name(s):

Sand gunnera

About:

A creeping plant located in coastal to low alpine regions across New Zealand, this species thrives in open and moist areas but has a rather localised distribution. It produces dense mats of small, dark green to brownish leaves, which vary in shape from oblong to somewhat triangular with serrated edges. The small male and female flowers develop on separate plants, so both sexes are necessary to yield the pale yellow to bright orange berries. The formerly recognised species, G. arenaria, is now classified as G. dentata.

Natural habitat: 

A coastal species of damp sand ground, dune slacks and swales, and along tidal river margins. It also grows on coastal sandstone bluffs in some parts of the country.

Growing environment:

Sun, Wind, Coastal & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

Throughout New Zealand from the Pouto Peninsula south and mainly westerly in its distribution. 

Height: 5cm

Flowering:  

November – March with a yellow coloured flower/s  

Fruiting:

November - May

Uses: 

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food, Riparian plantings & Ground cover

How to grow:

Easily grown from rooted pieces and divisions of whole plants. They prefer a damp soil in sun or light shade.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. 4 weeks cold stratification will help speed this up though