Lotus is an aquatic plant. Usually, lotus is planted as a pond decoration. Come on, let’s get to know the lotus!
Famous Since Ancient Egypt
Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn) is an aquatic plant known as the national emblem of India. Lotus is also often used as a symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism.
In ancient Egypt, the lotus was very famous. Flowers, fruit, and leaf petals are often used as architectural motifs in temples. This plant spread from Egypt to Iraq, then to Persia, India, and China. In 1787, the lotus flower was brought to Western Europe.
Water Plants
The lotus plant can only live in ponds, rivers, swamps, or pots filled with watery soil. This plant consists of roots, rhizomes, leaves, and flowers. The roots and rhizomes of this plant are found in the mud at the bottom of the pond. This rhizome is where the lotus flower stalks appear that stand upright.
The length of the lotus flower stalk can reach 1.5 meters. The lotus flower stalk is a tube that is hollow in the middle. The cavity on the stem is useful as an air channel.
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Beautiful Big Flowers
The lotus flower grows at the end of the stalk. This is what distinguishes it from the lotus. The lotus flower does not grow at the end of the stalk but floats on the surface of the water.
The diameter of the lotus flower reaches 20 cm. There are various colors, there are white, yellow, and pink. Usually, lotus flowers bloom from July to August.
Lotus leaves grow above the surface of the water. The leaves are round and wavy at the edges. The diameter of the leaves can reach 60 cm. The leaf surface contains a layer of wax, so the water on the leaf surface will form granules. Hence, lotus leaves are often called water repellent.
Benefits of Lotus
The lotus plant has many benefits. The rhizome is often used as a food ingredient in Japanese, Chinese, and Indian cuisines. The seeds can be processed into flour. In fact, lotus flower seeds can be processed into mooncake fillings that are eaten at the mooncake festival.
In addition, in China, young lotus seeds are drunk as a substitute for tea. While the wide leaves are often used as a wrapper.
