Paraguay has a new attraction—or rather, an old one that’s returned. After over a decade without them, giant lily pads, as much as two metres across and capable of holding a human’s weight, have reappeared in the Rio Salado.
Tourists have been flocking to the small town of Piquete Cue, 15 miles north of the capital, Asuncion, to see them. They were last seen in 2006, when they were affected by river dredging and theft of remaining specimens. They were not expected back.
The variety, Victoria cruziana, is similar to others that grow in Argentina and elsewhere. The largest on record was just shy of 8’9″ wide, and the rims can be up to 8″ high, which prevents them from overlapping each other, and allows them to effectively keep competing aquatic plants in the shade. The underside of the pad is violet, and the flower is described as ‘lush pink-and-white.’
Locals call them ‘alligaor liliies’ because alligators use them for shade and concealment. A century ago, a popular activity was sitting or standing on them to have pictures taken.
Title photo: JuriCarlos/Instagram; archive photo: Public Domain
