# 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.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Lakes and slow-moving rivers
- **Also known as:** Amazon Water Lily, Giant Water Lily

![Victoria Water Lily](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426104/objects/4951.jpg)

## 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.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Genus:** Chlorostilbon

## 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

- **Super Raft Leaves:** Victoria Water Lily has giant, circular leaves with strong ribs that help it spread widely, blocking sunlight for competitors.
- **Spiky Shield:** Its leaves are covered in sharp spines on the underside, deterring herbivores like fish and manatees from eating them.
- **Scented Trap:** 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
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** [Scarab beetle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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.
- **Shelter:** Peacock Bass (*Cichla ocellaris*) — Young fish hide under the giant leaves from predators.

## Traits

- [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [Night Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/night-blooming): Night blooming plants open their flowers after sunset, often to attract nocturnal pollinators with their scent and appearance.
- [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.
- [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species.
- [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type.

## Collections

- [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Victoria Water Lily?

Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Victoria Water Lily?

10-15 cm

### How wide does Victoria Water Lily spread?

150-300 cm

### How big are the flowers on Victoria Water Lily?

20-40 cm

### When does Victoria Water Lily bloom?

Summer to early fall

### Is Victoria Water Lily edible?

Yes

### Is Victoria Water Lily toxic?

None

### What is Victoria Water Lily's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Botanischer Garten Kiel](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/botanischer-garten-kiel) — Schleswig-Holstein, DE · Park
- [Villa Taranto Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/villa-taranto-botanical-gardens) — IT · Park
- [Semiwon](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/semiwon) — KR · Park

[View all places to see Victoria Water Lily](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/victoria-water-lily)

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

---

Source: [Victoria Water Lily: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/victoria-water-lily)