My Dinosaur Food plant has two "blooms" this Spring! It is also known as Chilean rhubarb but the real name is Gunnera. This picture only shows the top of the bloom. This come-shaped thing is actually about 3 feet in length, maybe a little more. The plant grows to about 12-15 feet and the leaves reach 4-5 feet in diameter by the end of the season. It is quite spectacular!
This is the second bloom on the other side. When the first hard frost comes in Autumn it droops to the ground and I have to use the Ginsu knife I received as a wedding gift to saw off the stalks. At least that knife comes in handy for something - LOL! The stalks are easily the size of my forearm. The whole thing dies back to the ground and starts over again in Spring.
The structure of the plant is pretty amazing. It is a water-hog and the giant leaves collect the rain/dew and channel it down the prickly stem to the roots. A plant evolved to survive!
I am joining up with a fun
swap at Musings On Realities. Make 10 mail-art postcards to swap with 10 other people around the world. Sounds like fun! I tried to add the button to my sidebar but couldn't get it to work. Follow the link and join the fun! Do you think I should make 10 the same or 10 different?
Update on steeping the lavender... Well, I brought it to a boil and then let it steep 24 hours, then strained it. It smells wonderful but the water is the color of tea. Definitely NOT something I would spray on laundry. Any ideas what I could use it for??
9 comments:
What a fun plant!! Thanks for sharing! I love learning about new plants and flowers!! Glad you got the smell out of the lavender. Sorry it is not clear. I am not sure what you could use it for, maybe in jars as an air freshener? xo Heather
Looks like something out of Little SHop of Horrors!
xx
z
Oh crud. Well, how about room spray. I love that dinosaur plant. Never heard of it. What a magical thing to have in the garden. Kind of like a venus fly trap. Smiles...Renee
We have thought about getting a gunnera. Since they are fond of water, do you water it quite a bit? And I presume it loves sun! We have space for the monster plant. Not sure the dinosaur would fit in our back yard :>)
That is an incredible looking plant. I've never seen one that I know of. I'm sorry about the lavender water. At least it smells good!
I think a simple syrup made from your steeped lavender would be fabulous mixed with some sort of alcohol for a summery adult beverage. I googled it; lots of options. :-)
If I didn't know better, I might think you're blogging from the jungle. Your garden is amazing!
What an amazing plant. Your yard looks so lush and green, must be that Portland weather.
I agree -- that can't be your backyard because it looks like a lush jungle! Oh, there are advantages to rain! I was so sad today when my husband took off for Portland. He was supposed to go next month and I was planning to tag along. :(
My goodness! Do you think that would grow in PA???? Does it need a lot of sun? How old is your plant?
Post a Comment