Nelumbo nucifera

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

iNelumbo nucifera

Nelumbo nucifera flower and leaves

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Plantae
Phylum:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Proteales
Family:	Nelumbonaceae
Genus:	Nelumbo
Species:	N. nucifera

Binomial name

Nelumbo nucifera
Gaertn.

Nelumbo nucifera is known by a number of common names, including Blue Lotus, Indian Lotus, Bean of India, and Sacred Water-lily. Botanically, Nelumbo nucifera (Gaertn.) may also be referred to by its former names, Nelumbium speciosum (Wild.) or Nymphaea nelumbo. This plant is an aquatic perennial, but if its seeds are preserved under favorable circumstances, they may remain viable for many years.

In ancient Egypt, N. nucifera was unknown, being introduced only at the time of the Persian invasions, late in Egyptian history. The Egyptians venerated the blue water lily (Nymphaea caerulea) and used it in worship, but did not know the true lotus, Nelumbo.

N. nucifera was native to a huge area from modern Vietnam to Afghanistan, being spread widely as an ornamental and food plant. In 1787 it was first brought into horticulture in Western Europe as a stove-house water-lily under the patronage of Sir Joseph Banks and can be seen in modern botanical garden collections where heating is provided. Today it is rare or extinct in the wild in Africa but widely naturalized in southern Asia and Australia, where it is commonly cultivated in water gardens. It is the National Flower of India.

Fruit of Nelumbo nucifera; dried, the seed cup is commonly used in flower arrangements.

The roots of Nelumbo nucifera are planted in the soil of the pond or river bottom, while the leaves float on top of the water surface. The flowers are usually found on thick stems rising several centimeters above the water. The plant normally grows up to a height of about 150 cm and a horizontal spread of up to 3 meters, but some unverified reports place the height as high as over 5 meters. The leaves may be as large as 60 cm in diameter, while the showy flowers can be up to 20 cm in diameter.

There are a number of different cultivars, the flower colours varying from snow white to yellow to a light pink. It is hardy to USDA Zone 5. The plant can be propagated from seeds or rhizomes. The oldest seed that has yet been germinated into a viable plant was an approximately 1,300-year-old lotus fruit, recovered from a dry lakebed in northeastern China. [1]

1 Uses
2 Religious symbolism
3 See also
4 References and external links

[edit] Uses

The flowers, seeds, young leaves and rhizomes are all edible. In Asia, the petals are sometimes used for garnish, while the large leaves are used as a wrap for food. The rhizome, called ǒu (藕) in Chinese, is a common soup or stir-fry ingredient and is the part most commonly consumed. Petals, leaves, and rhizome can also all be eaten raw, though transmission of parasites should be a concern (e.g. Fasciolopsis buski).

Eating Lotus seeds

The stamens can be dried and made into a fragrant herbal tea called liánhuā cha (蓮花茶) in Chinese, or (particularly in Vietnam) used to impart a scent to tea leaves. The lotus seeds or nuts are quite versatile, and can be eaten raw or dried and popped like popcorn. They can also be boiled down until soft and made into a paste. Combined with sugar, lotus seed paste is a common ingredient in pastries such as mooncakes, daifuku and rice flour pudding.

Lotus roots (called bhe in some parts of India and Pakistan, and renkon in Japan) are used as a vegetable.

Various parts of the sacred lotus are also used in traditional Asian herbal medicine.

The distinctive dried seed heads resemble watering-cans, and are widely sold throughout the world for decorative purposes and for dried flower arranging.

[edit] Religious symbolism

Sacred Lotus

Hindus associate the lotus blossom with creation mythology, and with the gods Vishnu, Brahma, and Lakshmi. From ancient times the lotus has been a divine symbol in Hindu tradition. It is often used as an example of divine beauty, for example Sri Krishna is often described as the 'Lotus-Eyed One'. Its unfolding petals suggest the expansion of the soul. The growth of its pure beauty from the mud of its origin holds a benign spiritual promise. Both Brahma and Lakshmi, the divinities of potence and wealth, have the lotus symbol associated with them as their seats. In Hindi it is called कमल (Kamal) which is also a popular name for men. The lotus flower is quoted extensively within Puranic and Vedic literature, for example.

One who performs his duty without attachment, surrendering the results unto the Supreme Lord, is unaffected by sinful action, as the lotus leaf is untouched by water. Bhagavad Gita 5.10

Though just a flower, the lotus has many legends in regard to its mythical origin, which its great spiritual significance and the status with which a flower is not usually endowed, has inspired. More prominent is the legend of 'Samudra-manthana' - ocean churning.

It is said that once gods and demons reached an agreement that they would jointly churn the ocean to obtain from it nectar that it hid in its bottom. When the churning was in process, the ocean revealed fourteen precious jewels and lotus with Lakshmi mounting it was one of them.

Borrowing from Hinduism, in Buddhist symbolism, the lotus represents purity of body, speech, and mind, floating above the muddy waters of attachment and desire. The Buddha is often depicted sitting on a giant lotus leaf or blossom.

Drawing in turn on these Hindu and Buddhist beliefs, the international Bahá'í community adopted this symbolism in the design of the "Lotus Temple" in New Delhi, India.