Victoria Water Lily

Chlorostilbon poortmani

The Victoria water lily is a giant water lily with huge leaves that can hold a lot of weight! Its flowers are beautiful and can be white or pink.

Habitat: Lakes and slow-moving rivers

Appearance

The Victoria Water Lily has enormous, circular green leaves with upturned edges, resembling floating trays. Its large, multi-petaled flowers bloom white, often turning pink or purplish as they age, and emerge majestically above the water's surface.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaGenusChlorostilbon

Victoria Water Lily

Interesting facts

A single leaf can grow wide enough to support a small child!

Its stunning flowers bloom white on the first night, turning pink by the second!

The mighty stems can grow over 8 meters long to reach the surface!

These colossal plants are a famous symbol of the Amazon rainforest.

Special abilities

Victoria Water Lily has giant, circular leaves with strong ribs that help it spread widely, blocking sunlight for competitors.

Its leaves are covered in sharp spines on the underside, deterring herbivores like fish and manatees from eating them.

Victoria Water Lily flowers emit heat and a strong scent at night, luring specific beetles for pollination.

Measurements & details

Height: 10-15 cm
Spread: 150-300 cm
Flower Size: 20-40 cm
Bloom Season: Summer to early fall
Is Edible: Yes
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Scarab beetle

Cyclocephala castanea

Attracted by scent and heat to transfer pollen.

eats

Amazonian Manatee

Trichechus inunguis

Aquatic mammal that grazes on its leaves and stems.

shelters

Peacock Bass

Cichla ocellaris

Young fish hide under the giant leaves from predators.

Traits

Broadleaf Tree

Discover magnificent trees that have wide, flat leaves, unlike the needles of pine trees! These are often the trees that change colors beautifully in autumn.

Fragrant Flower

Discover flowers that release delightful scents into the air, enchanting our senses and attracting helpful insects. Take a moment to enjoy their sweet perfume!

Night Blooming

These mysterious flowers wait until the sun goes down to open their petals, filling the evening air with their enchanting beauty and fragrance.

Wetland

These fascinating areas are covered by water for at least part of the year, creating a perfect home for unique plants and animals, like marshes and swamps.