Santa Cruz water lily

A giant aquatic herb growing in the Rainforest Biome

By Eden Project

Eden Project

Santa Cruz water lily, Rainforest Biome (2020) by Eden ProjectEden Project

The leaves of this water lily grow up to 2m in diameter. The hollow veins on the underside of the leaves give them strength and buoyancy.

Santa Cruz water lily, Rainforest Biome (2020) by Eden ProjectEden Project

The white flower opens in the early evening and is scented to attract and temporarily trap a beetle (Cylocephata castaneal) that pollinates the plant.

The flower turns pink or red the following day and lowers back into the water.

Santa Cruz water lily, Rainforest Biome (2020) by Eden ProjectEden Project

This water lily grows in slow-moving waters in north Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil and Bolivia.

Watch the video to see the Santa Cruz water lily growing in the Eden Project's Rainforest Biome up close.

Credits: All media

The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

Eden Project

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