Giant Water Lilies bloom in Paraguay

The Paraguay River hosted a rare visitor this week.

These water lilies - known as Victoria cruziana - appear every three or four years in great numbers and size in a section of the river near Paraguay capital Asuncion.

The plant can grow up to 2m in diameter. It is among the largest water lilies in the world and has a distinctive vertical edge, which can rise to about 20cm around its circumference.

The giant plant thrives in shallow waters in South America, but it is also a staple of botanical gardens around the world.

The plant is known for the pink-purple flower that blooms within it for just 48 hours at a time.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 21, 2021, with the headline Giant Water Lilies bloom in Paraguay. Subscribe