This famous giant lily from Brazil was discovered by the botanist Haenke in a tributary of the Amazon in 1810. Its seeds were brought back to the horticulturist Paxton in Europe who managed to cultivate them. The botanical gardens in Leiden followed suit in 1872. Up to this very day, botanical gardens compete with each other to see who can show the first flowering lily to the public (usually in early July). This special event occurs at night, because that is when the Victoria flowers.
Victoria amazonica
1st night: white flower
Firstly, a young leaf appears and beside it a bud shows itself. The signal to blossom is the distinct scent of pineapple given off by the flower.The scent attracts beetles, which are active during the night and which fly into the flower. In the morning the flower closes itself holding the beetles captive. During their imprisonment they are covered with pollen.
Victoria amazonica 2nd night: pink flower
The flower opens again and has changed colour: from creamy white to dark pink. The beetles are released and fly out taking the pollen to newly budded Victoria flowers a short distance away. The 'old' Victoria disappears under the water and forms seeds. These seeds fall onto the river bed and will germinate.
Leaf of a Victoria amazonica
Chair
In the spring the black, pea-like seeds are cultivated in a tank with a water temperature of 35° Celsius. Afterwards, they are planted in the pond of the Victoria greenhouse. The growing force of the Victoria is amazing. Within a couple of days the young leaves can obtain a diameter of 2.5 metres. The load-bearing capacity of a leaf is about 40 kilos.