The enormous leaves and intriguing flowers of
Victoria water platters (
Victoria cruziana Orb) are a big hit this summer at the Botanic Garden of the CAS Kunming Institute of Botany (KIB) in Southwest China's Yunnan Province.
Native to South America (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay), the ornamental plant was introduced into China in the 1950s. Because the plant requires high water temperatures (between about 25 to 35 degrees centigrade), it is difficult for it to blossom in the natural environment of the region. After many years of studies and exploration, KIB researchers are finally able to see its flowers opening in full blossom.
As a member of water lilies in the Nymphaeaceae family,
Victoria cruziana is characterized by its massive leaves up to two meters in diameter. Its flowers last for three days with different colors in each day: creamy white in the first day, pink in the next and purplish red in the third.
