“I said, "Water Lily,"- That's what I call myself sometimes…” - Blanche Devereaux The Victoria amazonica (aka Giant Water Lily), nature's version of a floating saucer, can be found in the display ponds behind the visitor center at kenilworthnps located in the north eastern corner of Washington, D.C. Native to South America, the leaves are incredibly buoyant. Air trapped in the spaces between the ribs on the underside of the leaves enables them to float. Victoria lilies don’t like to share their space – definitely no roommates. Due to the enormous size of their leaves, no sunlight is able to filter through to the water beneath them. This means that algae cannot grow directly underneath and therefore animals that feed on algae have to find somewhere else to hang out. Just remember, these botanical beauties are to be admired from afar. Image: A large water lily pad floating in water. #VictoriaLily #KenilworthAquaticGardens #BackInBloom #NatureLovers #AnacostiaPark #plantsofinstagra...