1228

 Victoria amazonica (Poepp.) J.C. Sowerby

Synonyms	:	Euryale amazonica Poepp.
Family	:	Nymphaeaceae
Local name	:	English-  giant water lily
Flowering and fruiting period	:	July to August
Distribution	:	Amazon region
Habitat	:	shallow waters of the Amazon River
Uses	:	Ornamental purposes
Key Botanical Characters  ..It is a rhizomatous, floating-leaf, tender aquatic perennial that is noted for the huge size of its yellow-green leaves (4-6 feet in diameter) and its night-blooming (open at dusk and close by noon), pineapple-scented flowers (9-12 inches wide) that bloom in summer. Leaves are yellowish green above and coppery red beneath, with each leaf having a distinctive, continuous vertical edge (typically to 2-4” high). Leaf undersides and stems have sharp prickles. Flowers bloom at night, but each flower typically lasts only 2-3 days. Flowers open white but turn pinkish to rose-purple on the second to third days as they age.