Victoria (plant)
Victoria or giant waterlily is a genus of aquatic herbs in the plant family Nymphaeaceae. The leaves are 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 to form a rim high. The lamina possesses stomatodes which are believed to allow rainwater to escape. The leaves emerge from a stipular sheath long and wide or more. The abaxial leaf surface possesses prominent, reticulate venation. In Victoria amazonica the leaves are glabrous, 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 was published by Robert Hermann Schomburgk in September 1837. The type species is Victoria regina The genus has two synonyms, both published within the same year with the same name: Victoria published by John Lindley in October 1837 and Victoria published by John Edward Gray in December 1837. There is, however, disagreement over the correct taxon authority. Victoria is seen as correct by several sources, but Victoria 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.