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Royal Water Lily Wikimedia Commons
Nymphaeaceae

Royal Water Lily

Victoria amazonica

Magnificence and transformation.

Family
Nymphaeaceae
Genus
Victoria
Native to
South America, Amazon Basin
Bloom season
Summer
Type
aquatic perennial
Height
6-12 in above water
Sunlight
full sun
Soil
rich aquatic mud
Water
aquatic
Hardiness
10-12
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • Its circular leaves can grow up to 10 feet in diameter and are strong enough to support the weight of a small child.
  • Each flower blooms for only two nights, opening white the first night and turning pink the second night.
  • The leaf's underside has a ribbed structure that inspired Joseph Paxton's design for the Crystal Palace in London in 1851.
  • It was named after Queen Victoria when it was first described by European botanists in 1837.
  • The flower generates heat and a strong pineapple-like scent on its first night to trap pollinating beetles inside.

Color meanings

0

magnificence

1

transformation

2

purity from adversity

Uses

  • botanical garden displays
  • aquatic garden feature
  • biomimicry research
  • educational exhibits