Giant water lily unfolds magical flowers – a feast for botanists!

Giant water lily unfolds magical flowers – a feast for botanists!

On August 7, 2025, the Botanical Garden of the TU Braunschweig will be open until 10 p.m. to see the fascinating blooms of the tropical giant water lily, known asVictoria cruziana, to celebrate. This event not only attracts plant lovers, but is also an important highlight of the year in the garden, which is considered one of the most beautiful in Germany and is home to over 4,000 plant species. The flower of theVictoria cruzianais observed on two consecutive nights: first, large, fragrant, white flowers develop on the first night, followed by delicate pink flowers on the second night. After blooming, the flowers dive under water and attract the attention of numerous visitors.

The flowering period is a special occasion as it only occurs once a year in the summer. The exact date of flowering is announced about five days in advance. The tradition of cultivating the giant water lily in the Braunschweig Botanical Garden has existed for over 60 years. The plant was discovered by botanist Thaddaeus Haenke in 1801, while the first flower in Europe was observed in 1849 at Kew Garden in London.

Habitat and characteristics of the giant water lily

Victoria cruzianais native to the Paraná river basin and Paraguay, where it thrives in warm waters. Its spectacular leaves, which reach up to two meters in diameter and can support up to 35 kilograms, are a striking feature of this plant. The underside of the leaves is equipped with a supportive tissue that contains air cushions that help it keep the heavy leaves afloat. The strong rib pattern and spikes provide additional protection.

Pollination of the flowers occurs by insects that become trapped in the flowers for a day, making the flowers a unique attraction for a variety of living organisms. Previously, the seeds had important cultural significance for the indigenous population, who collected them as “water corn” and processed them into flour.

Botanical garden as a center of interest

The Victoria Greenhouse in the Botanical Garden is the main attraction and attracts many visitors every year. It is one of the few opportunities to experience this impressive flower up close. Until mid-SeptemberVictoria cruzianacan be seen in the Botanical Garden and offers many other breathtaking plants that thrive in the area.

The Botanical Garden of the TU Braunschweig is part of a large number of botanical gardens in Germany. An overview of various botanical gardens shows that many have historical roots or specialized collections. The oldest botanical garden in Germany, the Leipzig Botanical Garden, was founded in 1580 and lays a foundation for the development of botanical gardens in Germany.

For nature lovers and anyone interested in botany, the TU Braunschweig Botanical Garden offers a unique opportunity to experience impressive plants such as the tropical giant water lily and learn more about their properties and distribution.

• Botanischer Garten der TU Braunschweig: Bericht
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• Wikipedia zur Liste von Botanischen Gärten in Deutschland: Details finden