Kew Gardens revives world’s smallest water lily, saving it from possible extinction
By APWednesday, May 19, 2010
Kew Gardens saves tiny water lily from extinction
LONDON — It’s a big victory for a little lily.
Horticulturalists at Britain’s Royal Botanic Garden, Kew have saved the rare African water lily “nymphaea thermarum” from possible extinction.
The lily — believed to be the world’s smallest — was found in just one location in Rwanda, but disappeared about two years ago as water feeding its habitat was diverted for farming.
Kew said Wednesday that seeds and seedlings from specimens preserved by German scientists were sent to London, where specialist Carlos Magdalena managed to coax the temperamental plant to grow. He says there are now more than 30 baby water lilies.
The plant is also known as the “thermal” water lily. Its pad can be just one centimeter (0.4 inches) in diameter.
