Gunnera petaloidea
Gunnera petaloidea is a species of Gunnera endemic to Hawaii on the islands Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii. It is found on slopes which receive heavy precipitation at an altitude between but mostly between. The Hawaiian name for this plant is ape or apeape.
Description
Gunnera petaloidea is a perennial herb growing to tall. Unlike the related Gunnera kauaiensis, it has leaves that are not peltate; the leaves are long and wide on fleshy stalks that are long and in diameter. The stalks grow from a green rhizome that is long and in diameter. The rhizome is branched and can stand above the soil. The plant forms clonal colonies that can cover areas up to long by or more wide.The flowers bloom in mid-summer and grow from a branched stalk that is tall with long branches. Petals are long and grow in pairs. The stamen also come in pairs that are long and are positioned opposite the petals.