Nalca

Description:

The nalca or pangue (Gunnera tinctoria) is an ornamental and edible plant belonging to the family Gunneraceae. It is native to temperate zones of Chile and Argentina.

Habitat:

The nalca is found in south-central Chile, southwest of Argentina and also in western Patagonia. It inhabits preferably in shady and humid places, although the "nalcas de arena" live buried in arenales of the coast of the Pacific and has been postulated that could be another species: G. arenaria Cheeseman ex Kirk.

Notes:

The petioles of the leaves are edible, fibrous and to a greater or lesser degree astringent, but they present abundant water; And are used raw (in salads or consumed in a similar way to a fruit, usually with salt) or in jams or juices. Both its appearance and its mode of consumption resemble the nalca to rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) and in other languages this plant is known as "rhubarb of Chile", while in the south of Chile rhubarb is also known as "German nalca" or "Nalca of rhubarb". The leaves are an essential part in the preparation of the curanto, typical dish of Chiloé, because they are used to separate the ingredients and to prevent that the heat escape from the hole made in the ground. The stem has medicinal use for its astringent properties.