Kew Gardens is officially the home of the largest living plant collection in the world, according to Guinness World Records.

The 320-acre site is home to 16,900 distinct species of plant making it a treasure trove of biodiversity.

This is not the first time the Royal Botanical Gardens have been recognised by Guinness World Records. It already holds the world record for the largest waterlilies, measuring up to 3m wide, as well as the world's tallest plant, the prehistoric titan arum, which grown up to 3m tall.

This is not the titan arum's only claim to fame as it is also considered the world's smelliest plant, an accolade that earnt it the name 'the corpse flower'.

Not solely operating on a large-scale, Kew Gardens is also home to the world's smallest water waterlily species the Nymphaea thermarum, which grows to around the size of a 50p coin.

The new record will be celebrated in the upcoming Guinness World Record book to be released in 2022.

Richard Barley, Director of Horticulture and Learning at RBG Kew said: "We are absolutely thrilled to hold the record for the largest living plant collection.

"It is a fantastic accolade, and a credit to the tireless work of our horticulturists and scientists. It also re-enforces the importance of botanic gardens around the world, as not only beautiful places to enjoy, but as essential hubs of inspiration and education, increasing awareness of the vital importance of plants to the health of our planet."

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Adam Millward, Managing Editor from Guinness World Records said: "It's been a pleasure recognising some of RBG Kew's record-breaking plants in recent years.

"I've had the (dubious) honour of smelling the pungent titan arum up close; contended with the steam and sprinklers to measure a prodigious pitcher trap; and put the giant waterlily's robust pads to the test with a GWR certificate.

"Working closely with Botanic Gardens Conservation International, it's fantastic to be able to celebrate the entire collection – surely one of the jewels of the botanical world – in the GWR 2022 book."