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Victoria amazonica
| Family Name: | Nymphaeaceae |
| Common Name: | Amazon Water Lily, Amazon Water-platter, Giant Water Lily, Royal Water Lily |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Aquatic & Hydrophyte (Floating Aquatic) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Brazil, Guyana, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Aquatic (Freshwater Pond / Lake / River) |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A herbaceous, aquatic floater. It is a short-lived perennial. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The large, circular leaves are spirally arranged and can expand up to 2.5m in diameter. The leaves have upturned rims with a notch to allow water to run off the leaf surface. The lower leaf surface and petiole is covered with sharp spines to deter animals from eating the leaves. The lower leaf surface has a network of raised veins which trap air, allowing the leaves to float on the water surface. |
| Flowers | The fragrant flower blooms at night and is white on the first night, it turns pink on the second night. It is pollinated by beetles. |
| Habitat | It is found in the backwaters of rivers. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Pond / Lake / River |
| Thematic Landscaping | Water Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Spines/Thorns - Stem/Branch, Spines/Thorns - Leaf |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Waterlogged Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stolon / Runner |
| Propagation Method Remarks | The seeds should be kept submersed in water for storage, the seed coat can be nicked for faster germination. |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Spiral |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Venation | Reticulate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Rounded |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White, Pink |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1252 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2545 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |