Gunnera petaloidea

Gunnera petaloidea is a species of Gunnera endemic to Hawaii on the islands Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii. It is found on slopes which receive torrential precipitation at an altitude between 2500 - 5000 ft. The Hawaiian name for this plant is Apé or Apé-Apé.

Description
Gunnera petaloidea has peltate leaves that are 3 - 4 ft in diameter on fleshy stalks that are 2 - 4 ft long and 3 - 4 in in diameter. The stalks grow from a green rhizome that is 6 - 8 ft long and 4 - 5 in in diameter. The rhizome is branched and can stand 1.5 - 4 ft above the soil. The plant can cover a total area as much as 20 sqft.

The flowers bloom in mid-summer and grow from a branched stalk that is 2 - 3 ft tall with 4 - 9 in long branches. Petals are 2 - 6 mm long and grow in pairs. The stamen also come in pairs that are 2 mm long and are positioned opposite the petals.