Victoria colombiana: New giant water lily species discovered in South America

Researchers Carlos Magdalena and Mauricio Bernal have discovered a new species of giant water lily, named Victoria colombiana, in the upper Orinoco River basin between Colombia and Venezuela. The discovery was made in the Guainía region after the team identified unusual green circles in satellite imagery of the Inírida River.

The plant belongs to the Victoria genus, an exclusive group containing only a few documented species worldwide. The new species is notable for its massive size, with leaves reaching up to 2.5 meters in diameter, making them visible from space.

The findings were published in the scientific journal Phytotaxa. The expedition involved navigating flooded jungles and was supported by local indigenous knowledge to locate the plant in its natural habitat.