Lucy T Smith is an Australian botanical artist and illustrator, resident for the past twenty-four years in the UK. Since 1999, she has worked as a freelance botanical artist for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, producing botanical illustrations in both pen and ink, and watercolour. Her illustrations have been published in many scientific journals worldwide.
The Victoria water lilies are found in South America. Until very recently, the genus contained only two species, Victoria amazonica and Victoria cruziana; the first growing along the Amazon River and its tributaries, the latter further south along the Parana River. However a third - Victoria boliviana has now been named. They are cultivated in many botanical gardens around the world, and are famous for their impressive giant leaves. Perhaps lesser known by the botanical garden visitor are their flowers, which open only at night.
