Water Lily Victoria Regia (Amazonian) (lat. Victoria amazonica) is the largest plant that grows on water. Belongs to the Waterlily family, the Victoria genus. Recognized as a national achievement of Guyana, it is the coat of arms of this state, and is also considered one of the most popular plants for greenhouses. Has a second name: Victoria Amazonian.
Structure and appearance
A water lily without any problems can withstand a weight of up to 50-60 kilograms, which is due to the peculiarities of the structure.
On the underside of Victoria’s leaves, you can see many branches, somewhat similar to “ribs”. All of them are pulled to the center, from which a long and strong petiole grows, with which the plant is attached to the bottom. It gets shorter or longer depending on the depth of the river and the current.
Its diameter can reach two to three meters. This feature allows some locals to use the water lily as a single boat to cross the river.
Victoria Regia flowers bloom one at a time. There are many leaves on them, the number of which often exceeds several dozen. In the open state, the diameter of the flower can reach thirty centimeters. The color is bright and ranges from red to purple or pink. The smell is pleasant.
Reproduction
The Amazonian Victoria reproduces with seeds that are very capricious in relation to their environment. In order for at least one seed to sprout, the water temperature must be at least 30 degrees, but it must not be raised above 32 degrees. Lowering the temperature to twenty-six degrees Celsius contributes to the reduction of the plant and the modification of its leaves for the worse. Temperature rise beyond the available maximum, i.e. over 32 degrees, also negatively affects the water lily.
The ripening period of seeds in terms of its duration can last up to two months. In the wild, the plant lives for more than five years, but in captivity it dies by the age of three.
Distribution and habitat
The only places where this giant of the plant world can be found is the Amazon River, after which the water lily was named, as well as the Guyana River, which flows in South America. Not found elsewhere.
Many people have long begun to think about how to grow Victoria at home, but this plant is very capricious to the air temperature, the climate surrounding it, as well as to the lighting, which will be quite problematic to pick up on your own.
But still, one enthusiast managed to grow a water lily to its maximum size, after which it bloomed. This man’s name was Joseph Paxton. As he later said, the secret was that the plant needs a swampy area, and in winter it needs water heating, without which it will wither.
Pests and diseases
As such, Victoria has no possible diseases. The edges of its leaves are bent upward, and the lower surface is filled with thorns that protect the plant from any pests that live in the water.
Interesting Facts
- Regia translated from Latin means “royal”. The Amazonian water lily received this name not because of its size, which, no doubt, amaze, but because of the flowers that fascinate anyone who looks at them. Their bud opens in the evening, at about ten or eleven o’clock. During flowering, the temperature around the plant rises, and the color of the petals changes. On the second night, the pure white color changes to dark purple, and then to bright pink, which tourists especially admire.
- In Brazil, which is considered the birthplace of Victoria, there is even a fairy tale about the birth of this magical flower.
- One part of the name was deciphered, but why is the water lily named Victoria? The answer is pretty simple. In some historical period, England was ruled by Queen Victoria, who was famous for her extraterrestrial beauty, capable of dumping any man on the spot. That is why, when scientists saw the flowers of this plant, they immediately came up with an association with the queen.
- Unfortunately, Regia blooms for a very short time, mainly about two or three days, which is why not everyone can look at it. But even in such a short period of time, she manages to amaze all eyewitnesses with her beauty.
Water lily video
