Victoria amazonica (Victoria water lily, "Oonibasu")

Japanese name: オオオニバス （大鬼蓮）
Scientific name: Victoria amazonica

[Overview]
An aquatic perennial of quiet shallow waters in its native range.
It is relatively short-lived and is sometimes treated as an annual or biennial.
The leaves grow from the base; long stalks extend from the rhizome and the leaves float on the water surface, circular and as much as 1.2–1.8 m across, with the margin usually standing up at a right angle 5–10 cm high, making the leaf tub-shaped.
The upper surface of the leaf is yellowish green, and the underside is tinged reddish purple.
On the underside of the leaf the veins are raised in a net pattern, and the leaf stalk is attached near the center of the leaf in a peltate manner.
The underside of the leaf and the leaf stalk have sharp spines.
In its native range it flowers all year round.
The flower is borne singly at the end of a long flower stalk and floats on the water; it is as much as 20–30 cm across, has many petals, and has a fruity fragrance.
The flowers open in the evening and close by midday, repeating this opening and closing for 2–3 days; they are white on the first day and deep pink on the next.
There are many stamens.
There are 4 sepals, which are covered all over with sharp spines.
After flowering, the flower sinks under the water, and the fruit ripens underwater and is berry-like.

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