Amazon Lily Necklace | (Victoria amazonica)
A biological masterpiece, the Amazon lily grows from the food that its huge, 10-foot diameter leaves produce. These lily pads are certainly one of the strongest, and biggest leaves in the world. Their unique structure is only visible from the underside of the leaf, where fractal veins radiate out from a central stem.
Its fractal vein structure has been recreated in this 1 inch diameter necklace. The leaf tissue that grows between the veins is actually only about 1mm thick, and in the necklace we left that area as negative space to keep it light and airy. This also means that whatever is underneath the pendant, skin or fabric, shows between the veins.
Strung on a sterling silver necklace of your choosing, this design will please plant lovers, mathematicians, and architects alike. (More on this plant’s inspiration of architects below)
Sterling silver, antiqued
1 inch diameter
SHIPS IN 1 - 3 DAYS
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What Plants Can Teach Us About Building Strength
This huge lily pad can support over 100 pounds without sinking into the water or suffering much damage. It endures rainforest downpours and wildlife using it as a perch, and still grows up to 10 feet in diameter to cover more surface area which allows it to soak up more sun and produces more food.
Wondering how it is able to support that amount of weight has lead to several studies of its vein structure. The first European to successfully cultivate this plant outside of its tropical home was a gardener, and also an architect. Inspired by the Amazon lily, Joseph Paxton built England’s Crystal Palace in 1850.
Since then other architects have used the structure of its radiating veins and transverse girders in their designs. In 2008, Vincent Callebaut designed Lilypad, A Floating Ecopolis for Climactical Refugees. The idea of a coastal eco-city that can rise and fall with the waters is especially relevant for our times.
Read more about the this plant and its influence on architecture in the National Geographic Article: What a Huge Lily Pad Can Teach Us About Building Design