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Nelumbonaceae
Indian Lotus
Nelumbo nucifera
Purity arising from darkness.
- Family
- Nelumbonaceae
- Genus
- Nelumbo
- Native to
- Asia, Australia
- Bloom season
- Summer
- Type
- aquatic perennial
- Height
- 3-5 ft
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- muddy, aquatic substrate
- Water
- high
- Hardiness
- 4-10
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- Lotus seeds can remain viable for over 1,000 years -- a 1,300-year-old seed from China successfully germinated.
- The 'lotus effect' describes the self-cleaning property of its leaves, inspiring nanotechnology coatings.
- Sacred in Buddhism and Hinduism, it represents purity because it blooms clean from muddy water.
- Every part of the plant is edible: roots, seeds, leaves, and stamens are all used in Asian cuisine.
- The flower has a remarkable ability to thermoregulate, maintaining temperatures between 30-35°C even when ambient temperatures vary.
Color meanings
0
enlightenment
1
rebirth
2
spiritual awakening