Genus of aquatic plants
Victoria or giant waterlily is a genus of aquatic herbs in the plant family Nymphaeaceae. Its leaves have a remarkable size: "Victoria boliviana" produces leaves up to in width. The genus name was given in honour of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.
Description.
Vegetative characteristics.
"Victoria" species are rhizomatous, aquatic, short-lived, perennial herbs with tuberous rhizomes bearing contractile adventitious roots. The floating leaves are peltate and orbicular. The margin of the lamina is raised. The lamina possesses stomatodes (i.e. microscopic perforations). The abaxial leaf surface posesses prominent, reticulate venation. In Victoria amazonica the leaves are glaberous, with long, hard spines and the underside is red. In Victoria cruziana the leaves are fuzzy with soft spines and the underside is purple. The shape of the rims is also different.
Generative characteristics.
The up to 25 cm wide, nocturnal, thermogenic, solitary, actinomorphic, chasmogamous, protogynous flowers have prickly pedicels with 4 primary and 8 secondary air canals. The flowers have four prickly, petaloid, 12 cm long, and 7–8 cm wide sepals. The 50-100 petals gradually transition towards the shape of the stamens, however there is an abrupt change between the innermost petals to the outermost staminodia. The androeceum consists of 150–200 stamens. The gynoecium consists of 30–44 fused carpels. The 0–15 cm wide, spiny, irregularly dehiscencent fruit bears arillate, glabrous, smooth or granular seeds. Proliferating pseudanthia are absent.
Cytology.
The ploidy level is 2x and the chromosome count ranges from 2n = 20 to 2n = 24.
Taxonomy.
"Victoria" R.H.Schomb. was published by Robert Hermann Schomburgk in September 1837. The type species is "Victoria regina" R.H.Schomb. The genus has two synonyms, both published within the same year with the same name: "Victoria" Lindl. published by John Lindley in October 1837 and "Victoria" J. E. Gray published by John Edward Gray in December 1837. There is however disagreement over the correct taxon authority. "Victoria" R.H.Schomb. is seen as correct by several sources, but "Victoria" Lindl. is also widely regarded as correct, despite being published a month later.
Evolutionary relationships.
Together with the genus "Euryale", "Victoria" may be placed within the genus "Nymphaea", rendering it paraphyletic in its current circumscription.
Ecology.
Habitat.
It occurs in lakes and streams.
Pollination.
"Victoria" flowers are pollinated by "Cyclocephala" beetles.
Use.
Horticulture.
"Victoria" is a popular ornamental plant.
Food.
The seeds, petioles, and rhizomes are used as food.
Other uses.
Root extracts are used as black dye.
References.
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