It is not giant. It is small. Coastal. Low. With an almost prehistoric vibe in miniature. Gunnera arenaria is the small cousin of the giant gunneras that grow on forest stream banks. It has the same wrinkled, textured leaves. But compressed into a low, ground-hugging plant that spreads across sand dunes. The leaves are thick, leathery, kidney-shaped. With a wrinkled surface. They are dark green. Sometimes tinged with purple. The stems creep along the ground. Rooting at nodes. The flowers are small, greenish, inconspicuous. Held above the leaves on slender stalks. Gunnera arenaria grows on sand dunes and sandy soils near the sea. It tolerates salt spray and wind. It likes well-drained sand. It does not like wet feet. The species is endemic to New Zealand. It is found only here. The name arenaria means growing in sand. The plant lives in sand dunes. It is adapted to that harsh environment. Like all Gunnera species, this plant has a symbiotic relationship with cyanobacteria. The bacteria live in special glands at the base of the leaves. They fix nitrogen from the air. Providing nutrients to the plant. The plant provides a home. A partnership. Sand gunnera is not threatened. Its habitat is limited. But much of it is protected. Coastal dunes are vulnerable to development and erosion. In gardens, Gunnera arenaria is valued as a coastal ground cover. It tolerates salt spray. It spreads slowly. It looks like nothing else. Sand gunnera is a reminder. Even the giant gunnera family has a humble member. Small. Coastal. Sand-loving. To find it is to look on the coastal dunes. Look for the low, creeping stems. Look for the wrinkled, kidney-shaped leaves. It is a plant of the exposed places. A survivor of the salt and wind. Found along coastlines of the North Island and northern South Island. Locally common but range restricted. Not threatened. Coastal development and habitat loss are threats. Erosion of sand dunes is also a factor. Climate change and sea level rise may affect it.