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 2500feet-5000feetft (-ft). The Hawaiian name for this plant is Apé or Apé-Apé.[2]
Gunnera petaloidea has peltate leaves that are 3feet-4feetft (-ft) in diameter on fleshy stalks that are 2feet-4feetft (-ft) long and 3inches-4inchesin (-in) in diameter. The stalks grow from a green rhizome that is 6feet-8feetft (-ft) long and 4inches-5inchesin (-in) in diameter. The rhizome is branched and can stand 1.5feet-4feetft (-ft) above the soil. The plant can cover a total area as much as 20square feet.
The flowers bloom in mid-summer and grow from a branched stalk that is 2feet-3feetft (-ft) tall with 4inches-9inchesin (-in) long branches. Petals are 2mm6mm long and grow in pairs. The stamen also come in pairs that are 2mm long and are positioned opposite the petals.