Amazon Water Lily (Victoria amazonica)

It is rare in cultivation, however Victoria amazonica which is commonly known as the ‘Giant Water Lily’ or ‘Amazon Lily’ has been grown in Australia since the mid 1800s. It is rare because of the conditions it needs to thrive, and these are strictly tropical. Although plant hunters have been growing them in conservatories for nearly 200 years.

I. Appearance and Characteristics 

Victoria amazonica is a species of flowering plant, the second largest in the water lily family Nymphaeaceae. It is called uape jacana (“the lilytrotter’s waterlily”) in Brazil and Atun Sisac (“great flower”) in Inca (Quechua). Its native region is tropical South America, specifically Guyana and the Amazon Basin.

The species is a member of the genus Victoria, placed in the family Nymphaeaceae or sometimes in the Euryalaceae. The first published description of the genus was by John Lindley in October 1837, based on specimens of this plant returned from British Guiana by Robert Schomburgk. Lindley named the genus after the newly ascended Queen Victoria, and the species Victoria regia. The spelling in Schomburgk’s description in Athenaeum, published the month before, was given as Victoria Regina. Despite this spelling being adopted by the Botanical Society of London for their new emblem, Lindley’s was the version used throughout the 19th century.

An earlier account of the species, Euryale amazonica by Eduard Friedrich Poeppig, in 1832 described an affinity with Euryale ferox. A collection and description was also made by the French botanist Aimé Bonpland in 1825. In 1850 James De Carle Sowerby recognized Poeppig’s earlier description and transferred its epithet amazonica. The new name was rejected by Lindley. The current name, Victoria amazonica, did not come into widespread use until the 20th century.

Victoria amazonica has very large leaves (lamina) (and commonly called “pads” or “lily pads”), up to 3 m (10 ft) in diameter, that float on the water’s surface on a submerged stalk (petiole), 7–8 m (23–26 ft) in length, rivaling the length of the green anaconda, a snake local to its habitat. These leaves are enormously buoyant if the weight is distributed evenly over the entire surface of the leaf (as by a piece of plywood, which should be of neutral buoyancy). In 1896 a V. amazonica leaf at Tower Grove Park, Saint Louis, Missouri bore the “unprecedented” weight of 250 pounds (113.6 kg). However, in 1867 William Sowerby of Regents Park Botanic Garden in London placed 426 pounds (193.9 kg) on a leaf only 5′ 6″ (168 cm) in diameter. One leaf of a specimen grown in Ghent, Belgium bore a load of 498 pounds (226 kg) It is the second-largest waterlily in the world.

V. amazonica is native to the shallow waters of the Amazon River basin, such as oxbow lakes (called iguarapes) and bayous (called paranas). In their native habitat, the flowers first begin to open as the sun starts to set and can take up to 48 hours to fully open up. These flowers can grow up to 40 cm (16 in) in diameter and 3.5 pounds ( 1.6 kilograms) in weight., exceeded in mass only by members of the genus Rafflesia. All of the flowers of one particular plant will, on a given evening, all be in the female phase or all in the male phase, so that pollination must be by a different individual, precluding self-pollination.

The stem and underside of the leaves are coated with many small spines to defend itself from fish and other herbivores that dwell underwater, although they can also play an offensive role in crushing rival plants in the vicinity as the lily unfolds as it aggressively seeks and hogs sunlight, depriving other plants directly beneath its leaves of such vital resource and significantly darkening the waters below. Younger giant water lilies are even known to swing their spiny stalks and buds around as they grow to forcibly make space for themselves.

Ecology

Each plant continues to produce flowers for a full growing season, and they have co-evolved a mutualistic relationship with a species of scarab beetle of the genus Cyclocephala as a pollinator. All the buds in a single patch will begin to open at the same time and as they do, they give off a fruity smell. 

At this point the flower petals are white, and the beetles are attracted both to the color and the smell of the flower. At nightfall the flower stops producing the odor, and it closes, trapping the beetles inside its carpellary appendages. Here, the stamens are protected by the paracarpels and for the next day the flower continues to remain closed. The cavity in which the beetle is trapped is composed of a spongy, starchy tissue that provides nourishment for the beetle. 

During this time, anthocyanins start to be released by the plant, which in turn changes the petals from white to a reddish pink color, a sign that the flower will have been pollinated. As the beetle munches away inside the flower, the stamens fall inward and the anthers, which have already fallen, drop pollen on the stamens. 

During the evening of the second day, the flowers will have opened enough to release the beetle, and as it pushes its way through the stamens it becomes covered in pollen. These insects will then go on to find a newly opened water lily and pollinate with the pollen they are carrying from the previous flower. This process was described in detail by Sir Ghillean Prance and Jorge Arius.

II. How to Grow and Care

Sunlight

Victoria Amazonica grows leaves on the surface of the water and likes sunshine very much. Basically, it is under full sunshine that victoria amazonica grows rapidly and grows, and maintains a relatively perfect body shape. Victoria Amazonica has small and thin leaves and does not flower easily, so it must have sufficient light.

Temperature 

Victoria Amazonica is from the tropical region of South America, with poor cold resistance. When the temperature is below 20℃, Victoria Amazonica stops growing, so special attention should be paid to the temperature and water temperature of Victoria Amazonica. Victoria Amazonica will freeze to death when the temperature is below 8℃. Therefore, it is only suitable for conservation in tropical areas, while conservation costs in other places are too high.

Watering

Victoria Amazonica needs water to grow, but not all water areas can survive. In the place where Victoria Amazonica lives, the water depth should be no more than 1 meter, so that the leaves of Wang Lian can extend naturally. If the water is too deep, Victoria Amazonica cannot live.

The growth of Victoria Amazonica requires very clean water. If the water quality in the water is very poor, all kinds of diseases and insect pests will breed in the water in the hot summer, which will seriously affect the growth of Victoria Amazonica and lead to the non-flowering of Victoria Amazonica. Therefore, it is necessary to keep the water clean at all times.

Fertilizing

Although Victoria Amazonica can grow in water without fertilizer. In order to grow the leaves of Victoria Amazonica beautifully and large, we still need to apply manure or cake fertilizer to Victoria Amazonica. In this way, Victoria Amazonica can be large and beautiful, and at the time of flowering, it needs topdressing, so as to ensure the flowering rate.

Planting Instructions

In pots submerged in water that is constantly warmer than 80 degrees, seed can be started indoors. When the water has warmed to at least 70 degrees in the late spring, outdoor planting can be done. Container-grown plants are dropped into the calm waters in their containers. The containers can be taken out and stored in a greenhouse in regions with milder winters in preparation for the following outdoor season.

Pruning

Pruning is the procedure shortly before the growth of Victoria Amazonica. Because its branches and leaves are relatively large, if the length is too dense, there is no light transmittance. It is easy for lesions to appear, so cutting off some branches and leaves that are too crazy to grow can ensure its normal viewing.

Propagation

Sowing is Victoria Amazonica’s main propagation path. Sowing is generally in April of each year. At the same time before sowing seeds should also be treated, and prevent seeds in the water about 28 degrees to accelerate germination, and then sowing can be about a week to germinate.

Pests and Diseases

Although Victoria Amazonica is an aquatic plant, diseases and insect pests may occur if maintenance is not achieved, and it is more difficult to control and control the diseases and insect pests of Victoria Amazonica. Therefore, prevention should be made as early as possible so that diseases and insect pests do not affect the growth of Victoria Amazonica. If pests and diseases appear, spray immediately.

III. Uses and Benefits 

Giant water lilies are a popular ornamental plant known for their massive circular leaves.

Water lily seeds have been used as a food source in Central America and were once referred to as “water corn” in Paraguay due to their large seeds, which were used to make flour.