How a plant selfie in Colombian jungle led to ‘jaw dropping’ giant waterlily find

Latin America Science Fri, 09 Oct 2026 15:24:31 GMT Moderate confidence — 68/100

A chance social media encounter has led to the race-against-time discovery of a new species of giant waterlily that has until now been hidden in the depths of Colombia’s jungle.
But the plant, which is so huge it is visible from space, is already considered critically endangered.
Giant waterlilies, which can measure up to three metres across and carry the weight of a small child, are one of the oldest flowering plants in the world still alive today.

A chance social media encounter has led to the race-against-time discovery of a new species of giant waterlily that has until now been hidden in the depths of Colombia’s jungle.
But the plant, which is so huge it is visible from space, is already considered critically endangered.
Giant waterlilies, which can measure up to three metres across and carry the weight of a small child, are one of the oldest flowering plants in the world still alive today.

Sources: Guardian