Benoît Prieur · CC0Santa Cruz water lily (irupé)
Victoria cruziana · yakare yrupe
The giant water lily of the Paraguay and Paraná rivers, with leaves up to two meters across.
What it is
An aquatic plant found only in the Paraguay and Paraná river basins. Its round floating leaves reach two meters in diameter, with an upturned rim and spines underneath. Its huge, fragrant flowers open at dusk: white on the first night, they turn pink on the second. Guaraní legends tell of its origin.
Did you know…?
Yrupe is often interpreted as “a plate carried by the water,” and yakare yrupe as “the caiman's plate,” for its round leaves floating on the lagoon.
Season
The leaves grow in spring and the flowers appear in the warm months, from late spring into summer. Best seen at dusk.
Where
Still-water lagoons and creeks in Ñeembucú (around Pilar) and the Lower Chaco. It's also grown in ornamental ponds.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 2 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.