Victoria amazonica

(Poepp.) J. C. Sowerby

Royal water lily, Giant water lily, Amazon water lily

Nymphaeaceae Edible: Seeds, Stems, Roots 1,739 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Victoria amazonica ("giant water lily") is a species of flowering plant, the second largest in the water lily family Nymphaeaceae. It is called Vitória-Régia or Iaupê-Jaçanã ("the jacana'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.

Description

A water lily. It is an annual plant which grows in water. It has a thick rhizome. The leaves are 2 m across. The edges of the leaves curve upwards. There are gaps near the leaf stalk and directly opposite. The leaves float. The leaves have a netlike appearance. They are coppery red underneath. There are prickles under the leaf and on the leaf stalk. The flowers last for 3-4 days. They come out at night and have a sweet smell. The flowers are 25-40 cm across. They start creamy white but change to pink then purple. There are 50-60 petals. They are white or cream with a tinge of red. The fruit are 15 cm across. The fruit is covered with spines. The seeds are 5 mm across. They are green but turn black. The plants are pollinated by beetles.

Edible Uses

The seeds are roasted and eaten. The stems and roots are also edible.

Traditional Uses

The seeds are roasted and eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in mud in water 1.2-2 m deep. They need water temperatures above 24°C. In XTBG Yunnan. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Where It Grows

Amazon, Asia, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Guiana, Guyana, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Mauritius, Peru, SE Asia, South America, Vietnam,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed. The temperature needs to be above 29°C. Flowers can be hand pollinated.

Notes

There are 2 Victoria species in tropical America.

Synonyms

Victoria regia Lindl.

Also Known As

Forno-d'agua, Irupe, Maiz del agua, Reina victoria, Victoria-regia, Water Maize, Water-platter

References (20)

Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 676
Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 2, 6:310. 1850
Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 1017
Bortolotto, I. M., et al, 2015, Knowledge and use of wild edible plants in rural communities along Paraguay River, Pantanal, Brazil. Journal or Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 11:46
Bortolotto, I. M., et al, 2018, Lista preliminar das plantas alimenticias nativas de Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Iheringia, Serie Botanica, Porto Alegre, 73 (supl.):101-116

Show all 20 references

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