Nelumbo nucifera

Nelumbo nucifera, also known as Padma (Sanskrit: पद्म, romanized: Padma, lit. 'Lotus') or Kamala (Sanskrit: कमल, lit. 'Lotus'), sacred lotus, pink lotus, Indian lotus, or simply lotus, is one of two living species of aquatic plant in the Nelumbonaceae family. It is often called a water lily, but true water lilies belong to a different family called Nymphaeaceae. The lotus is part of the order Proteales.

This beautiful plant grows in shallow water and is famous for its large, round leaves and stunning flowers. It has been very important in many cultures, especially in Asia, for thousands of years. People grow it not just for its lovely appearance, but also because its seeds, roots, and leaves can be eaten and used in medicines.

The lotus is known for an amazing ability: it can stay clean even in dirty water. Its leaves have a special surface that lets water roll right off, keeping the flower and leaves dry and spotless. This special quality makes the lotus a symbol of purity and beauty in many stories and artworks.

Description

Lotus plants grow in slow-moving rivers and areas where water collects. They drop many seeds into the water each year. Some seeds grow right away, but many stay asleep until the water dries up and then come back to life when it rains again.

These plants need warm weather and rich soil to grow well. People grow them for their flowers, seeds, and roots, which are used in food and for special ceremonies in many cultures, like Hinduism and Buddhism. The lotus is the national flower of India and is loved for its beauty and meaning of purity and long life. Some lotus seeds can stay alive for over a thousand years!

Etymology

The name Nelumbo nucifera comes from an old name for the plant in a language called Sinhalese, where it is known as "nelambu" or "nelum". The word "nucifera" is Latin and means "nut-bearing". Together, the name describes the plant’s edible, nut-like seeds.

Classification

The lotus is sometimes mixed up with true water lilies, especially the blue lotus. Older naming systems used a different name for the lotus, but modern science agrees it belongs to the genus Nelumbo.

Scientists have different ideas about which plant family the lotus belongs to. Some place it with protea flowers, while others put it in a different group based on its looks. According to recent science, the lotus's closest relatives include sycamore trees.

[See also: Nelumbo]

[Main article: Nelumbo]

[Further information: Nymphaea, Bentham & Hooker system, plant taxonomy, APG IV, N. lutea, protea flowers, Cronquist system, Platanaceae]

Botany

The lotus plant grows in pond or river bottoms, with its leaves floating on the water's surface or held high above it. The leaf stalks can be very long, up to 200 cm, allowing the plant to grow in deep water. The leaves can be large, up to 80–100 cm across, and are spaced far apart along the underground stem, which can grow quickly.

The flowers grow on thick stems above the leaves and can be up to 35 cm wide. Some special types of lotus flowers have many petals—like one Chinese variety that can have between 3,000 and 4,000 petals in a single bloom!

Lotus flowers can keep a warm temperature, staying between 30–35 °C, even when the air is very cool. This may help attract insects that help the flower reproduce.

After flowering, the lotus produces fruit with 10 to 30 seeds. These seeds can stay alive for many years before growing again. In fact, a seed almost 1,300 years old was once made to grow!

Cultivation

The sacred lotus grows in water that is about 2.5 metres to 30 centimetres deep. In colder places, deeper water helps protect the plants better. The lotus starts to grow when the temperature is above 13°C. Most types of lotus can live outside all year in certain warmer areas. During the growing season from April to September, the plant needs daytime temperatures between 23 and 27°C.

The lotus needs rich, loose soil to grow. In early spring, a small piece of the plant's underground part is placed in water or flooded fields. It can also grow from seeds or small plant parts taken from the plant itself. The field is prepared by plowing dry land and adding manure before flooding it. The plants are spaced out and placed just below the surface of the mud.

The plant's stems are ready to harvest two to three months after planting. Leaves and flowers can be picked three months after planting, with flowers being harvested every few days during the summer. Seeds are collected when they turn black, and the underground parts are ready to eat six to nine months after planting.

Lotus plants are grouped by what they are used for: for their underground parts, for their seeds, or for their flowers. In China, the underground part type covers the most area for growing.

Lotus farming is mostly done in China, where about 70% of the lotus used for food is grown. The plants are often grown in ponds or flooded fields, sometimes together with rice or other crops, or even with fish or shrimp.

Use

Lotus flowers are important in many religions. In Hindu temples, lotus flowers are often given as gifts to goddesses like Lakshmi and to gods like Vishnu and Shiva. People also use lotus flowers in special ceremonies, such as weddings. In Buddhist temples, lotuses are offered to the Buddha as well.

People eat different parts of the lotus plant. The underground part, called the rhizome, is a popular vegetable in many Asian countries. It can be fried, cooked in soups, or used in salads. Lotus seeds are also eaten and can be made into teas, noodles, and even ice cream. Young stems and leaves are used in dishes like soups and salads, and lotus flowers can be made into teas too. However, it's important to cook these parts before eating to avoid getting sick.

Lotus plants can also help clean water by removing harmful substances and reducing algae growth. This makes them useful in keeping water healthy. Scientists study lotus plants for their special properties that might help make new medicines and materials that repel water.

Chemical composition

The leaves of Nelumbo nucifera contain special plant compounds like miquelianin, as well as other natural substances that have useful properties.

All parts of the lotus plant can be eaten, but the underground stem called the rhizome and the seeds are most commonly used. People have used these parts in traditional medicine for thousands of years, especially in China and India. Lotus seeds are very popular in many parts of the world because they are full of important nutrients.

Lotus rhizomes are long, thin stems that are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and other helpful nutrients. They can help with many health benefits like supporting the body’s natural defenses.

Lotus seeds are rich in proteins, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. They are especially good sources of certain vitamins like B1, B2, B6, and Vitamin E. These seeds can also help support health in areas like blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

Cultural and religious significance

Main article: Sacred lotus in religious art

Nelumbo nucifera has been important in many cultures and religions for a long time. In both Hinduism and Buddhism, it is a sacred flower. It represents the journey to spiritual awakening and enlightenment. In Hindu stories, the lotus is linked with the goddess Lakshmi and her partner Vishnu. Lakshmi is often shown sitting or standing on a lotus flower, and Vishnu holds a lotus in one of his hands. The lotus shows a path to a good and peaceful life. It also stands for moksha, a state of perfect peace.

In Hindu writings, lotus petals are used to describe the beauty of gods and goddesses. For example, the word Kamalanayana, meaning "lotus-eyed," is used for Vishnu. The ancient story Mahabharata talks about army formations shaped like a blooming lotus. In yoga, the Padmasana, or lotus pose, is named after this flower. Lotus designs can be found in Indian buildings, such as domes shaped like lotus buds and pillars like lotus stems.

In Asian art, a lotus throne is a special seat or base for important figures in Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain art. The lotus has also been important in Persian history and is part of the Iranian Solar Hijri calendar. It appears in the Bible and in Ismaili Muslim traditions, where it symbolizes a pure soul.

In Chinese culture, the lotus, called "Liánhuā," is very important in Buddhism. It stands for purity, enlightenment, and spiritual growth.

Political symbols

The lotus is the national flower of the Republic of India. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) uses the lotus as its symbol. In Vietnam, the lotus is also an important symbol of culture and national identity, used by many government groups over time. Some people in Vietnam would like it to be the official national flower.

• Emblem of the Vietnam Fatherland Front

• Emblem of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha

• Emblem of Hà Tĩnh city

• General Secretary Tô Lâm with lotus decorations behind him.