Gunnera perpensa or River Pumpkin

Gunnera perpensa, commonly known as river pumpkin or river sour, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to southern Africa. It is the only species of the genus Gunnera found in Africa and is characterised by its large, rhubarb-like leaves and distinctive inflorescences that emerge from the ground. Gunnera perpensa has a long history of traditional use in African medicine, where various parts of the plant have been employed to treat a range of conditions, including inflammatory disorders, gastrointestinal problems and wound healing (van Wyk & Gericke, 2000; Spies et al., 2013). Recent scientific research has investigated the phytochemical composition and potential therapeutic properties of Gunnera perpensa, suggesting that the plant may possess anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, though more studies are needed to fully understand its pharmacological potential (Kambizi & Afolayan, 2001; Asres et al., 2005). Additionally, Gunnera perpensa has been explored for its possible applications in phytoremediation, particularly in removing heavy metals from contaminated environments (Madzivhandila et al., 2021).