In the lush and enchanting realm of the Amazon rainforest, lies a very unique botanical wonder – the Amazon Water Lily, capable of supporting the weight of humans.
The strongest leaf in the world is often considered to be the leaf of the Victoria Amazonica plant, also known as the Amazon water lily. This amazing plant is native to the shallow waters of the Amazon basin, where it grows in small lakes and tributaries. It has huge circular leaves that can reach up to three meters in diameter and have an upturned rim. The leaves are anchored by long underwater stems, which can be up to 8 meters long.
Victoria amazonica, or giant water lily, is one of the largest water lilies in the family. The giant white to pink flowers flanking the leaves, which can grow up to 3 meters wide, are extremely fragrant and have a sweet, pineapple-like scent on the first day of their two-day life cycle. The flowers only bloom for a few days, blooming at night on the first day. At this stage, the flower petals are white, and bugs are attracted to the color and fragrance of the flower. The flower stops giving off its scent at dusk and closes, trapping the beetles inside.
But what makes these leaves so powerful? The secret lies in their structure and adaptations. The tops of the leaves are waxy and have a blanket-like pattern that repels water and prevents fungal growth. The underside of the leaf is burgundy in color and has a network of veins and cavities that provide support and buoyancy. The tendons are covered with sharp spines that act as a deterrent to herbivores and parasites. These chambers trap air and allow the leaves to float on the water.
The underside of the leaf has a network of veins and hollows that provide support and buoyancy. The giant water lily was discovered by British explorers in South America in 1801. It quickly became popular in Victorian England, where its genus name, Victori, was given in honor of the young Queen Victoria , and this plant became a symbol of the British Empire. They have long attracted scientists, architects and artists because of their beauty and sheer size.
The power of Victoria Amazonica leaves is remarkable. It can withstand the weight of a small child or even an adult if the weight is evenly distributed over the entire surface of the leaf. Some sources claim that the leaf can withstand a weight of up to 45 kg, while others report higher figures, such as 113 or even 226 kg.
However, these records may depend on the size, age and condition of the leaf as well as the measurement method.
The Amazon water lily thrives in the seasonally flooded areas of the Amazon River basin, where it has about six months to grow before the water disappears again. During that period, its huge leaves allowed it to absorb the maximum amount of sunlight. The leaf veins essentially allow the water lily to have more surface area for photosynthesis while using less biomass.
Victoria Amazonica is not only strong but also beautiful and fragrant. It produces large, short-lived flowers, which typically open at night and change color from white to pink after releasing pollen. The flowers will then be pollinated by a bug attracted to their scent and heat. The bug will be trapped inside the flower for a day and then escape with some pollen to visit another flower and complete the cycle.
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Victoria Amazonica is a natural wonder of the world that has fascinated people for centuries. It was named after Queen Victoria by John Lindley in 1837, based on specimens collected by Robert Schomburgk in British Guiana. It was later planted in botanical gardens around the world, such as Kew Gardens in London, where it inspired Joseph Paxton to design the Crystal Palace for the Great Exhibition in 1851.
If you want to see this amazing plant for yourself, you can visit some of the places that grow it, such as Kew Gardens, Adelaide Botanic Gardens, Princess of Wales Conservatory of Music or Tower Grove Park. You will be amazed by its size, strength and beauty.