This group of tender, aquatic annuals is originally from tropical America. They are amazing, floating plants with some varieties producing leaves that grow up to 8 feet across. They are commonly called Queen Victoria's Water Lily, Royal Water Lily, Amazon Water Lily and Santa Cruz Water Lily. V. amazonica (Amazon Water Lily) has yellowish-green, round leaves with reddish-purple undersides that start out flat, but in time form a rim, 3 to 6 inches high.

The underside of the leaves and the outside of the rim are armored with sharp spines. The leaves of this variety grow from 4 to 6 feet across and spread 15 to 20 feet. The double flowers of this plant bloom at night and measure 9 to 12 inches across. They open white eventually turning reddish-pink. This variety needs a water temperature of 85º to 90º F. V. cruziana (Santa Cruz Water Lily) produces leaves with violet-purple undersides. The rims are green veined with red and they grow 5 to 8 inches high.

The flowering of these plants is especially interesting. The blooms last only one night, during which a species of beetle invades them. Many of the insects are caught inside the blossom when it closes in the morning, and must chew their way out, pollinating the plant in the process.

The thumbnailed gallery at the top of the page includes pictures of many kinds of waterlilies at the Styler's gardens, including some of the Victoria Amazonas.