Gunnera perpensa, commonly known as River Pumpkin, is a perennial herb native to wetlands and riverbanks in South Africa. It is semi-deciduous, depending on the water availability in its habitat. Gunnera perpensa typically grows to a height of 2 feet (0.6 meters) with a similar spread. It has large, rounded, and deeply lobed leaves that can add a dramatic texture to garden settings. The inconspicuous greenish flowers are followed by small, orange to reddish fruit.

River Pumpkin is valued for its lush foliage and is used in water gardens, bog gardens, and as a marginal plant in ponds. It thrives in full sun to part shade and requires consistently moist to wet soil conditions. It is not drought-tolerant and will require additional watering during dry periods. While it is not commonly found in cultivation outside its native range, it can be a unique addition to gardens that can mimic its natural wetland conditions. Care should be taken to control its spread in ideal conditions, as it can become quite robust.CC BY-SA 4.0