Instagram photos of giant water lilies in Colombia lead researchers to new species

Researchers have unearthed an astonishing new species of giant water lily, named Victoria Colombiana, in Colombia, thanks to a viral Instagram post that sparked further investigation through satellite imagery. A collaborative five-day expedition involving scientists and Indigenous communities revealed just a handful of specimens, making their identification a challenge. In light of environmental threats, concerted conservation efforts are now in motion to safeguard this rare botanical treasure.