Have you heard of the giant Victoria Amazonica Water Lily?
Located within the tropical Amazon Rainforest in South America, it’s famous for its massive leaf size and ability to float with ease along the slow-moving rivers and lakes of the region. However, while abundant in numbers close to each other, actually finding where they are takes a keen eye and knowledge of the region – and it’s also worth learning what makes this special plant unique and thrive before you see them during a tour.
In this guide we’ll explore everything you need to know about the Victoria Amazonica Water Lily. This includes core physical characteristics of this aquatic plant, as well as where it is best to see them within the Amazon Rainforest. We’ll also answer your most frequently asked questions in our FAQ section.
Everything You Need To Know About the Victoria Amazonica Water Lily
Physical Characteristics
The Victoria Amazonica Water Lily can produce gigantic leaves that measure up to 3 meters in diameter, making it one of the largest water lilies on Earth. Its giant circular leaves float on the water’s surface, which is supported by air-filled ribs on its underneath. These complex structures help to efficiently distribute weight across its surface, and as a result can support heavy loads of up to 65kg.
Even more unusual though, however, is the plant’s reproductive cycle. While bright green during the day like many of the other Amazonian plants found here, at night its white flowers open and release a sweet scent which attracts beetles. These beetles then get trapped inside as the plant closes – where they are covered with pollen – and later reopens with a bright pink colour, which allows the beetles to leave and carry its pollen to another flower. This ingenious system not only guarantees that beetles will carry enough pollen, but also prevents the Victoria Amazonica Water Lily from self-pollinating.
- Location: Amazon River Basin In South America
- Leaf Size: Up To 3m (10ft) In Diameter
- Colour: Green Leaves With White Flowers That Turn Pink At Night
- Habitat: Slow-Moving Rivers, Lakes And Flooded Wetlands
- Flowering: Flowers Open At Night And Change From White To Pink
- Special Ability: A Rib-Like Underside Helps Support Enormous Weights
What Makes The Victoria Amazonica Water Lily Unique Among Lily Species?
While many common water lilies produce floating leaves that measure between 10-30cm, the Victoria Amazonica Water Lily‘s leaves of up to 3 meters completely dwarfs them in comparison. This means that a single leaf can be almost 10 times as large – allowing it to comfortably hold heavy weights – while also growing extended roots that latch down into the deeper, murky waters of the Amazon.
Its behaviour and adaptations for survival are also notable. Their leaves grow much quicker than standard water lilies given the competitive environments, where new leaves rapidly expand and dominate large sections of smaller rivers and tributaries. Their flowers also release a scent strong enough to attract beetles and other incredible Amazon Insects away from neighbouring plants – where they trap them temporarily to ensure they pick-up enough pollen before leaving for other plants.
The Best Places To See The Giant Victoria Amazonica Water Lily In Peru
While various countries like Brazil and Bolivia are home to the Victoria Amazonica Water Lily, the Peruvian Amazon is a particularly reliable place to spot this giant water plant. It’s mostly found in the deeper flat areas of the jungle in the far east of the country, and as such tourists will want to visit either Iquitos or Puerto Maldonado which are the perfect gateway cities into the more remote jungle.
Iquitos is usually the best for spotting this giant water lily, as there are larger river systems and more flooded forests here in Northern Peru – which can be spotted either on a river cruise or day trip from the city. Near Puerto Maldonado in Peru’s South, oxbow lakes and slower rivers around Tambopata can also be home to the Victoria Amazonica Water Lily – however sightings can vary and it’s worth speaking to a reputable tour operator who can confirm the most recent sightings.
Speak directly with our local Tambopata experts and start planning your Amazon adventure.
→Frequently Asked Questions About The Victoria Amazonica Water Lily
In this section we’ll now explore the most frequent questions we get about the Victoria Amazonica Water Lily, as well as anything else you need to know.
How Big Can Victoria Water Lily Flowers Grow?
The Giant Victoria Water Lily is the largest of all water Lily species on the planet, and is also the overall biggest aquatic plant too. While they usually measure between 2-2.5 meters in diameter, the very largest ones can grow up to 3 meters in width – while their stems can grow as long as 7-8 meters into the riverbed below which helps keep them fixed in place against currents.
Where Do Victoria Water Lilies Grow?
The Victoria Amazonica Water Lily is native to the humid and tropical Amazon Rainforest of South America, where conditions are optimal for their growth and survival. They are mostly found within the lowest elevations of the Amazon Basin, such as along slow-moving rivers and tributaries, as well as in the famous oxbow lakes of the region.
Can A Victoria Water Lily Hold A Child Without Sinking?
Measuring up to a giant 3 meters in width, the Victoria Water Lily is also known for its strength and buoyancy given its unique formation of air-filled ribs. Tests have shown that the most mature of these water plants can hold up to 65kg – which not only is enough to hold a child – but also an adult if weight is properly distributed across the leaf!
Overview Of The Incredible Victoria Amazonica Water Lily
And that’s all for this guide on the beautiful Victoria Amazonica Water Lily.
The largest of all aquatic plants on Earth, this special lily is endemic to the smaller tributaries and oxbow lakes of the Amazon in South America. And given they can grow up to a massive 3 meters in width and can paint the river landscapes with a fresh bright green when found in large numbers – they are a joy to see during any tour when exploring the incredible Amazon Rainforest.
Here at Tronco Tambopata, our expert guides know best when it comes to finding exotic and rare plants like the Victoria Amazonica Water Lily when exploring the Tambopata Rainforest in Southern Peru. Check Out Our 3 Day Amazon Jungle Tour Now, which includes all meals, rainforest lodging and all transport in-between.
