Two species of giant water lilies are actually three, and a new species is the largest of the bunch, according to a team of scientists. Victoria boliviana is a new species of giant waterlily. There are two other plants in this South American group, V. cruziana and V. Amazonica. The first species of giant water lilies has been found in over a century. During the early 19th century, scientists thought they were dealing with a single species, but they were wrong. The creation of two species, V. Amazonica and V. cruziana, was corrected. A third Victoria species has been discovered by the new research. The largest giant water lilies in the world are known as V. boliviana, which has a diameter of over ten feet. Carlos was a co-author of the new study and had suspected that there was more than one species. He noticed that some of the specimen didn't look like either of the two species. With these uncertainties in mind, the scientists embarked on a study with the stated goal of improving systematic knowledge of the Victoria.
The samples from Santa Cruz de La Sierra Botanic Garden were studied by the team. They were able to compare the two giant lilies by growing seeds from the third species.
There were a number of key differences that were documented. The other two species had similar genes, but V. Boliviana had a different one. The identification of the previously overlooked species was made possible by the combined physical and genetic evidence.
The team came to the realization that a specimen of the new species had been in storage for more than 150 years. It was previously mistaken for a different species, but no one realized it.
One of the world's largest wetlands is the Llanos de Moxos, where Victoria bolivyana is found. Each flower opens one at a time, but only for two nights, during which time it turns from white to pink. It is an amazing sight, showing the incredible biological diversity that our planet has to offer, but more research is needed.
There is a plant that has an amazing trick for liquefying in flies.
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