
Instagram Selfie Leads to Discovery of Critically Endangered Giant Waterlily in Colombia
A casual Instagram photo posted by Jeremiah Harris in 2021 led scientists to discover a new species of giant waterlily, Victoria colombiana, in Colombia. The plant, which can grow up to three meters wide, was found in the Inírida region and is now considered critically endangered, with only 30 to 50 individuals remaining in the wild. The discovery highlights the importance of social media and indigenous knowledge in modern botanical research.











