Richard Conniff on 'The Species Seekers' Listen Download Embed Share Share this on Facebook (Opens in a new window) Share this on Twitter (Opens in a new window) Share this via Email Victoria regia, a water-lily named in honour of Queen Victoria, was discovered in South America in 1837, the year of her accession to the throne. This lithograph is from a folio from 1854. ( Museum of Wales / flickr ) Produced by Kristen Meinzer Produced by PRI and WNYC