Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.
| Etymology | Genus | From its Sinhala's common name, Nelum |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Nut-bearing | |
| Family | Nelumbonaceae | |
| Synonyms | - | |
| Common Names | Lotus, Indian Lotus, Sacred Lotus | |
| Status | Exotic: Cultivated Only | |
| Form | Aquatic Herb | |
| Native Distribution | Ukraine to North Iran, Russian Far East to Tropical Asia, & North & North Eastern Australia | |
Diagnostics:
An aquatic freshwater plant that is commonly cultivated in ponds for its attractive leaves and flowers. The leaves are circular and hydrophobic, with their petioles attached to the centre of the leaves and extending them above the water body. The flower petals are pinkish, which fades to a white centre. After pollination, the petals fall off, leaving the receptacle, which will swell and look like an inverted shower head, with each cavity containing one seed.
Interesting Facts:
The rhizomes are edible and commonly sliced and cooked as a soup in Chinese cuisines (莲藕汤). The plant is referenced widely in Buddhism. For example, the Buddha is often depicted sitting on a lotus flower. The Lotus Sutra is one of the most influential and famous scriptures in Mahayana Buddhism.
A lotus pond at Ang Mo Kio West Park.
Flower.
Receptacle containing the unripe seeds.
Ripe seeds.
Posted: 2025-10-03 / Modified: 2025-10-06