The Victoria Regia (Victoria amazonica) Lily

The Victoria Regia (scientific name: Victoria amazonica) Lily is native to the Amazon river basin. In 1837 specimens obtained by the British explorer Robert Schomburgk were described and a name published by the British botanist John Lindley in dedication to Queen Victoria. The Victoria Regia lily is Guyana's national flower and a component of the coat of arms. The lily is considered as the largest on Earth. It is circular with the edges turned up, and can grow to a diameter of 10 feet. The flower changes color from white to pink within days of opening up and are pollinated by beetles. The legend is that teenage girls would sit on the banks of the Amazon River under the moonlight and dream about a better life. The feeling was that if they can physically touch the moon and stars they would become one of them. One young girl, Naia, tried desperately to touch the moon and fell into the Amazon River and was swept away. The moon was guilt-ridden at the loss of Naia's life and transformed her into a giant water lily that would cover the water surface and capture the moonlight. The images show the Victoria Regia lily which was common in the canals of British Guiana.

Image 01 - The Victoria Regia (Victoria amazonica) water lily at Carmichael Street (1907).

Image 02 - The Victoria Regia (Victoria amazonica) water lily at Waterloo Street (1907).

Image 03 - Water lilies in the Botanical Gardens (1920).

Sources

[Image 01] - Unknown.
[Image 02] - Baldwin and Company, British Guiana, 1907.
[Image 03] - Unknown.