About the species
Nelumbo nucifera – Sacred lotus
Nelumbo nucifera, commonly known as the sacred lotus or Indian lotus, is an aquatic perennial plant of significant cultural, religious, and ecological importance. Belonging to the family Nelumbonaceae, the lotus is renowned for its large, showy pink flowers and distinctive round leaves that float on water surfaces. Native to Asia and northern Australia, Nelumbo nucifera thrives in shallow ponds, lakes, and marshes.
The plant is celebrated for its remarkable ability to emerge pristine from muddy waters, symbolizing purity and spiritual enlightenment in various cultures. Botanically, the lotus features rhizomatous roots, peltate leaves, and thermogenic flowers that can regulate their temperature. Its seeds are notable for their exceptional longevity and viability, sometimes germinating after centuries. The lotus is also valued for its edible seeds and rhizomes, which are used in culinary and medicinal applications.
As an ornamental and sacred plant, Nelumbo nucifera continues to inspire art, literature, and scientific research worldwide, and serves as a model species for studies in plant adaptation, seed longevity, and aquatic ecology.