So Beautiful Nelumbo Nucifera Flower

Nelumbo nucifera: The Sacred Lotus of Asia
Nelumbo nucifera, commonly known as the sacred lotus, is a remarkable aquatic plant revered not only for its stunning beauty but also for its profound cultural, spiritual, and ecological significance across Asia and beyond. This ancient plant, sometimes referred to as the Indian lotus, bean of India, or simply lotus, has been cultivated for thousands of years and continues to hold a sacred place in religious traditions, medicine, cuisine, and art.
Botanical Profile
Scientific Name: Nelumbo nucifera
Family: Nelumbonaceae
Common Names: Sacred lotus, Indian lotus, East Indian lotus, Padma, Bua, Sen
Native Range: Widespread in Asia, particularly India, China, and Southeast Asia
Habitat: Freshwater ponds, lakes, marshes, and slow-moving rivers
The sacred lotus is a perennial plant with large, circular leaves that can be either floating or emergent. Its roots are anchored in the mud of shallow water bodies. The flowers, often pink or white, are large, fragrant, and bloom with radiant symmetry. The plant is especially known for its ability to regulate temperature and repel water from its leaves — a phenomenon called the lotus effect, which has inspired biomimetic engineering.
Growth and Lifecycle
Nelumbo nucifera thrives in warm, sunny climates and is adapted to grow in nutrient-rich muddy environments. Its seeds are famous for their longevity. Remarkably, viable lotus seeds over 1,000 years old have been discovered and successfully germinated — a testament to the plant's resilience.
Leaves: Can reach up to 60 cm in diameter, rising high above water.
Flowers: Up to 20 cm wide, with a deep pink hue fading into white.
Seed Pods: Woody and distinctive, often compared to showerheads, containing edible seeds.
Tubers: Thick rhizomes growing in the mud, also edible and nutritionally valuable.
Cultural and Religious Symbolism
The sacred lotus is one of the most powerful symbols in Eastern religions and philosophies, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.