The giant water lily, Victoria, is amongst the most spectacular of tropical plants. Tadeas Haenke f1~st discovered Victoria in 1801 in Bolivia, but before he could report on his finding, Sir Richard Schomburgk found Victoria in 1837 in British Guiana. He presented his findings to the London Botanical Society, generating both wonder and excitement. So much so that the plant was named Victoria in honor of the British Queen. In 1849, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew received viable seeds from South America. Joseph Paxton, head of the Duke of Devonshire’s gardens at Chatsworth, received a seedling from Kew and was the first horticulturist to bloom Victoria amazonica in cultivation. Paxton, inspired by the extraordinary leaf structure of the waterlily, designed the structure of the Crystal Palace in London. The design of these structures has influenced subsequent greenhouse and conservatory constructions.
The Victoria’s nocturnal flowers are impressive, as is their bizarre pollination biology. The flowers open a pure white on their first night and emit a strong pineapple-like scent. This attracts the scarab beetle pollinator (Cylocephata castaneal) to the flower, which is functionally female that evening and receptive to pollen brought by the beetle. As daybreak approaches, the flower begins to close, trapping the beetle inside. During the day the flower becomes functionally male, indicated by the maturation of the anthers and the release of pollen. The beetle becomes coated with the pollen, but cannot fertilize the flower because it is now functionally male. The flower opens the second evening, having changed color from white to pink. The beetle is released and seeks out another white, fragrant, receptive flower, where it will deposit pollen to allow seed set.
Victoria Amazonica, also known as the Amazon water lily or Victoria regia, is a species of water lily that is native to the Amazon River basin in South America. It is one of the largest water lilies in the world, with its leaves growing up to 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter and able to support the weight of a small child.
The Victoria Amazonica has large, flat, circular leaves that can float on the water’s surface, with upturned edges that create a bowl shape. The leaves have a ribbed texture and a green color, with pink or red undersides that turn maroon as the leaf ages. The plant also produces large, fragrant, white or pink flowers that open at night and close during the day.
The plant is adapted to its aquatic environment, with a system of thorns on the underside of its leaves that protect it from herbivores, and a root system that anchors it to the muddy river bottom. The leaves of the Victoria Amazonica can also regulate their temperature, allowing them to maintain a stable temperature even in the hot and humid Amazonian climate.
The Victoria Amazonica has cultural and symbolic significance to the people of the Amazon region, and is often depicted in art and literature. It is also a popular attraction in botanical gardens and aquariums around the world, where visitors can marvel at its impressive size and beauty.
Emerging Victoria amazonica leaf with visible spines and new flower bud below.
The Giant Amazon Waterlilies are flourishing at Fairchild. Historically, Victoria amazonica — found growing in pools off the Amazon River in hot, humid conditions — have fallen prey to Miami’s winters. This is the first time these aquatic plants have lived to see a second year at Fairchild.
People love Victoria for their huge leaves. At the Benjamin Rush Sibley Victoria Pool, the pads now span three feet in diameter and are continuing to grow. Horticulturists tracking the amazing growth rate of the Victoria have measured a daily increase in diameter of up to eight inches. These Amazon lilies are also famous for the dangerous spines that cover the stems and underside of each leaf, protecting the plants from predators.
Currently the Victoria ‘Adventure’ pads cover 40 square feet of the pool. In addition to breathtaking leaves, this plant also produces stunning flowers with an intoxicating scent. The Victoria ‘Longwood Hybrid’ produced its first flower of the season on the evening of May 31 and now flower weekly. To spot these flowers, come early — they close around 10am.