Incredible Plants at Como Park

If you're anywhere in the vicinity of Como Park in St. Paul this week, be sure to go see the tropical outdoor water plants near the entrance of the new wing of the Conservatory.

Most famous is the Victoria Water Platter, Victoria 'Longwood Hybrid'. This plant is at least 20 feet across, and each of the full-sized leaves is 3 to 4 feet across. I believe I read that they're strong enough for a child to sit on (although no one should do that, of course!).



Originally from Bolivia, the leaf structure inspired the design of the Crystal Palace at the Great Industrial Exhibition of 1851 in London. Here's a close-up of one of the leaves.



And what was that I saw at the center of the plant last week? Are those buds of giant flowers?



Another fascinating and well-named plant is the Mosaic Plant, Ludwigia sediodes:



And don't miss the incandescent Lotus blooms (Nelumbo nucifera):



The Lotus leaves are fun as well -- kind of like giant nasturtiums:



I'm not sure how much longer these plants will be outside. Since none of them are anywhere near hardy in Minnesota, they spend the later fall and winter in greenhouses at the park. So get over there now! If you're lucky, the Victoria will be blooming.