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World’s biggest water lily species discovered at Kew Gardens

A new species of giant water lily has been discovered by scientists - and it’s been hiding in plain sight for 177 years.

The huge plant had been in the archives of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew - and was growing in a number of aquatic collections - but it was mistakenly identified as another species.

It also holds the record as the largest water lily, with leaves growing more than 3m (10ft) wide.

Picture credit: Lucy Smith

Video filmed by Kevin Church and produced by Alison Francis

3 July 2022

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