An Instagram Selfie Helped Scientists Discover a Giant New Flower Species — And It May Already Be Near Extinction

What began as an ordinary Instagram post has led to an extraordinary scientific discovery deep in the Colombian rainforest.

Five years ago, American horticulturist Jeremiah Harris shared photographs of himself swimming alongside enormous water lilies in Colombia’s Inírida region. At the time, he believed the plants belonged to a species scientists already knew.

But Carlos Magdalena, a water lily expert at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, noticed something unusual. The plants were growing outside the previously documented range of known giant water lilies, raising the possibility that they represented an entirely new species.

That suspicion set off a remarkable investigation.

Researchers used satellite imagery to locate the plants before organising an expedition into the remote rainforest. Working alongside Colombian botanists and Indigenous community members, the team searched rivers and lakes for specimens that could establish the plant’s identity.

Their breakthrough came at the last minute. With their return flight approaching, the team’s Indigenous boatman, Gustavo Melo, guided them deeper into the flooded forest during the night. There, they discovered additional plants, including one in flower — a crucial finding that allowed the researchers to collect the evidence needed for formal identification.

The newly described species was named Victoria colombiana. Its enormous circular leaves can measure up to two metres across, making it one of the most remarkable aquatic plants documented by scientists.

Yet the discovery also brought an urgent warning. Researchers estimate that only 30 to 50 individuals may remain in the wild, and the species is considered critically endangered.

The findings, published in the scientific journal Phytotaxa, highlight how social media, satellite technology and Indigenous knowledge can work together to uncover species that have remained overlooked by formal science.

Sometimes, a photograph taken during an ordinary adventure can lead to a discovery with global scientific significance. In this case, it may also help researchers protect a rare plant before it disappears.

Source: PEOPLE

Additional source: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew