Chance Instagram sighting leads to discovery of rare giant water lily in Colombia
A new paper published in the journal Phytotaxa describes a new species in the genus Victoria, the Colombian giant water lily (Victoria colombiana). With only three other known species in the genus, V. colombiana joins the pantheon of nature's giants with pads measuring up to 2 meters (6.6 feet) across.
An Instagram post from five years ago led to the discovery of a new species of giant water lily in Colombia's Inírida region. The water lily, named Victoria colombiana, has pads up to 2 meters (6.6 feet) across, making it one of nature's giants. The story began when Carlos Magdalena, a horticulturist at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, spotted the water lily in social media photos taken by Jeremiah Harris.
Magdalena, an expert in water lilies, suspected something was amiss as the known range of the species did not extend to the Inírida River. After scanning satellite imagery, Magdalena confirmed the presence of Victoria plants in the region. With the help of local guides, Indigenous reserves, and botanists, an expedition was organized to find more specimens.
Despite initial setbacks due to poor conditions, the team found a second population with five additional individuals of V. colombiana, including one in flower. The discovery marks a significant botanical achievement, highlighting the importance of combining horticultural knowledge, Indigenous wisdom, and modern technology in exploring and understanding the natural world.
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