# Discovery of Victoria colombiana waterlily

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/discovery-of-victoria-colombiana-waterlily
> Updated: 2026-10-11T17:17:55.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2.

Botanists have identified a new species of giant waterlily, named Victoria colombiana, in the Inírida region of eastern Colombia. The discovery was prompted by a social media photograph posted by Jeremiah Harris, a US-based nursery owner, which caught the attention of Carlos Magdalena, a researcher at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Magdalena suspected the plant was distinct from the common Victoria amazonica after noticing its location did not align with known ranges. Following an analysis of satellite imagery and the coordination of an expedition involving the Bogotá Botanical Garden and local indigenous communities, the species was located in an isolated lake. 

A study published in the journal Phytotaxa confirmed the new species, noting that its massive leaves can reach up to three metres in diameter. The Victoria colombiana is considered critically endangered, with researchers estimating a wild population of only 30 to 50 individual plants.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-11: Victoria colombiana: New giant water lily species discovered in Colombia

Botanists have discovered a new species of giant water lily, Victoria colombiana, in the Colombian jungle after spotting it in a social media photo.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/victoria-colombiana-new-giant-water-lily-species-discovered-in-colombia-1

### 2026-10-08: Victoria colombiana discovered after Instagram photo sparks botanical search

A new species of giant waterlily, Victoria colombiana, has been discovered in Colombia after scientists spotted it in an Instagram photo posted by a nursery owner.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/victoria-colombiana-giant-waterlily-discovered-in-colombia

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Cite as: Discovery of Victoria colombiana waterlily. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/discovery-of-victoria-colombiana-waterlily