Best time to travel to Brazil

Victoria Amazonica in Brazil

This botanic wonder plant is large enough to hold a person

Best time: March–July

Victoria Amazonica
Victoria Amazonica
Victoria Amazonica
Victoria Amazonica

The giant waterlily called Victoria Amazonica (name after Queen Victoria) grows in the Amazon, it is known for its very large leaves that grow up to 3 m (9.8 ft) in diameter. The leaves are supported by a submerged stalk that is 7–8 m (23–26 ft) in length.

Victoria Amazonica rarely survives more than a year outside of the Amazon so they are unique to this region. This plant requires a hot, humid climate and prefers shallow waters, like small lakes or bayous. When the waters in the Amazon rise and fall, it stimulates the stems to grow and keep up.

The flowers that are white at the beginning and turn pink on the second night are up to 40 cm (1.3 ft) in diameter. They are pollinated by beetles.

The flowers of Victoria Amazonica also produce a sweet and pleasant scent. You can see the flowers typically during the night. The blooming season lasts from early March through July.

Practical info

Where is Victoria Amazonica most commonly found in Brazil?

The Victoria Amazonica is typically found in the Amazon area of Brazil in bodies of water such as small lakes, bayous, and public parks that create an environment suitable for its growth, such as the Eduardo Gomes Botanical Garden in Rio de Janeiro and Tangua Park Lake in Curitiba. Show more

What is the blooming season for Victoria Amazonica in Brazil, and when is the best time to see it?

The blooming season for Victoria Amazonica in Brazil lasts from March through July. To best see the plant, it's ideal to visit during June and July when the weather is dry and sunny. You can appreciate the delicate white and pink blooms best during the night, as the flowers open after sunset and close by late morning. Show more

What is the average lifespan of Victoria Amazonica outside of its natural habitat, but within it?

Victoria Amazonica can survive up to several years in its natural habitat; however, outside the Amazon region, they rarely survive more than a year. They are fast growers and can reach diameters of up to two meters in as little as three weeks. They usually start growing from seeds that germinate under ideal conditions of warmth and moisture. Show more

How does the rise and fall of the Amazon river affect the growth of Victoria Amazonica?

Victoria Amazonica depends on the seasonal rise and fall of the Amazon River to stimulate stem growth. They adjust their growth rates according to the water levels, and the more water, the more abundant the growth. During times of receding water levels, the plant stores nutrients in its stem to help it survive until the next water surge. However, water levels that are too low during a dry season could disrupt the plant's growth cycle. Show more

What makes the pollination process of Victoria Amazonica unique?

Victoria Amazonica has a unique pollination process that differs from other waterlilies. The plant's flower changes color from white to pink over two nights and releases a sweet scent that attracts pollinators, mostly beetles. They release a small amount of scent on the first night to attract beetles that move around searching for the source of the scent. The second night, Victoria Amazonica releases an abundance of scent to attract more beetles that carry pollen from the male flower and transfer it to the female flower, a process that pollinates the plant. Show more

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Last updated: by Eleonora Provozin