Victoria cruziana or the Santa Cruz Waterlilly is a giant aquatic perennial plant that produces leaves around 1.8m in diameter that float on top of the water.
To avoid inundation they have a lip surrounding the flat leaf that turns upwards about 10cms. Hairy undersides also help it to float.
It produces white flowers that are quite fragrant and remain open over night then change to pink.
These are unusual flowers in that they are thermogenic e.g. they create their own heat whilst budding so that when they open it more efficiently releases the fragrance to local pollinating beetles.