Life cycle and morphoanatomical variations of Victoria amazonica

In Central Amazonia the Nymphaeaceae Victoria amazonica was studied in its natural environments distributed in three mixed water sites and three floodplain sites where leaf diameter edge height petiole length depth of occurrence and pH were measured. In addition the life cycle and leaf structure were monitored and morphological and anatomical characteristics of the leaf blades petioles rhizome seeds flowers and fruit were recorded from the start of development to the adult stage. Finally various germination treatments were imposed on the seeds in an attempt to elucidate the dynamics of this process under natural conditions.