Difference between revisions of "Nelumbo nucifera"

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Nelumbo nucifera, Gaertn. (Nelumbium speciosum, Willd. Nelumbo indica. Pers., and N. Nelumbo, Karst.). East Indian Lotus. Fig. 2455. Lvs. usually larger than those of N. lutea, glaucous: fls. fragrant, usually pink except in horticultural varieties, overtopping the lvs. Caspian Sea to Japan, Philippine Isls., India and N. Austral.; naturalized at Bordentown, N. J., where it was intro. by E. D. Sturtevant. A.G. 15:334. C.L.A. 4:275; 5:301. G. 7:16; 28:395. Gn. 28, pp. 426, 429; 43 : 463 ; 44, pp. 229, 435 ; 50, pp. 267, 469 ; 57, p. 397 ; 66 : 171;76, p. 447. Gng. 5:114; 6:295; 15:334. G.C. III. 52:119. G.M. 38:809; 40:34; 41:833-5. G.W.2:377. I.H. 42:27. R.H. 1900, p. 243. V. 15:97.— This plant is known to the trade as Egyptian lotus, but the lotus of the ancient Egyptians is a Nymphaea. This plant is not native to the Nile region. Many named forms are cult., e.g.: Fls. white: Var. alba (N. alba, Hort.), the "magnolia lotus." Gn. 28, p. 427. G.C. III. 14:41. Var. Alba grandifldra, larger-fld. A.F. 14:726. A.G. 20:369. Gng. 7:146. Mn. 9:73. Var. alba striata, edge of petals striped and tipped with red. Var. pygmaea alba, dwarf: lvs. 6 in.: fls. 4 in. across. Var. alba plena (N. Shiroman), large, double Japanese form. A.F. 16:229. F.E. 10: suppl. Feb. 12. Gn. 60, p. 158. Gng. 9:3. Var. pygmaea alba plena, dwarf, double. Fls. pink to red: Var. Kinshiren, white shaded pink. Var. kernesina, light rose. Var. Grossherzog Ernst Ludwig (-N. fiavescens x N. Osiris), salmon-rose. Var. pygmaea rosea, dwarf, bright rose. Var. rosea, Hort., deep rosy pink. Var. Osiris, deep rose. Gn. 72, p. 457. Var. pulchra, dark rosy red. Var. pekin- ensis rubra, rosy carmine. Var. gigantea, very large, rose-purple. Var. rosea plena, double, deep rosy pink. G.W. 5:411. Var. pekinensis rubra plena, very large, double, rosy carmine.
 
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{{Taxobox
 
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| color = lightgreen
 
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| name = ''Nelumbo nucifera''
 
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| image = Lotus_Nelumbo_nucifera_Flower_Large_3264px.jpg
 
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| image_width = 250px
 
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| image_caption = ''Nelumbo nucifera'' flower
 
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| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
 
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| phylum = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
 
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| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
 
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| ordo = [[Proteales]]
 
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| familia = [[Nelumbo]]naceae<!--why does this Wikilink duplicate the genus name?-->
 
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| genus = ''[[Nelumbo]]''
 
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| species = '''''N. nucifera'''''
 
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| binomial = ''Nelumbo nucifera''
 
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| binomial_authority = Gaertn.
 
 
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[[Image:Lotus jdp.jpg|thumb|right|Fruit of ''Nelumbo nucifera''; dried, the seed cup is commonly used in flower arrangements.]]
 
'''''Nelumbo nucifera''''' is known by a number of common names, including '''[[blue lotus]]''', '''Indian lotus''', '''sacred 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.  
 
'''''Nelumbo nucifera''''' is known by a number of common names, including '''[[blue lotus]]''', '''Indian lotus''', '''sacred 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.  
  
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''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 [[Joseph Banks]] and can be seen in [[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 garden]]s. It is the [[National emblem|National Flower]] of India and Vietnam.
 
''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 [[Joseph Banks]] and can be seen in [[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 garden]]s. It is the [[National emblem|National Flower]] of India and Vietnam.
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==Botany==
 
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[[Image:Lotus jdp.jpg|thumb|right|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&nbsp;cm and a horizontal spread of up to 3&nbsp;meters, but some unverified reports place the height as high as over 5&nbsp;meters. The leaves may be as large as 60&nbsp;cm in diameter, while the showy flowers can be up to 20&nbsp;cm in diameter.
 
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&nbsp;cm and a horizontal spread of up to 3&nbsp;meters, but some unverified reports place the height as high as over 5&nbsp;meters. The leaves may be as large as 60&nbsp;cm in diameter, while the showy flowers can be up to 20&nbsp;cm in diameter.
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There are a number of different [[cultivar]]s, the flower colours varying from snow white to yellow to a light pink. It is hardy to [[United States Department of Agriculture|USDA]] [[Hardiness zone|Zone 5]]. The plant can be propagated from seeds or [[rhizome]]s.  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]].<ref>[http://www.amjbot.org/cgi/content/abstract/89/2/236 amjbot]</ref>
 
There are a number of different [[cultivar]]s, the flower colours varying from snow white to yellow to a light pink. It is hardy to [[United States Department of Agriculture|USDA]] [[Hardiness zone|Zone 5]]. The plant can be propagated from seeds or [[rhizome]]s.  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]].<ref>[http://www.amjbot.org/cgi/content/abstract/89/2/236 amjbot]</ref>
  
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===Uses===
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The flowers, seeds, young leaves, and "roots" ([[rhizome]]s) 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'' ([[wikt:藕|藕]]) in [[Chinese language|Chinese]], ''bhe'' in some parts of India and Pakistan, and ''renkon'' in Japanese) are used as a vegetable in soups and stir-fried dishes. Petals, leaves, and rhizome can also all be eaten raw, but there is a risk of parasite transmission (e.g. ''[[Fasciolopsis buski]]''): it is therefore recommended that they are cooked before eating.
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Nelumbo nucifera, Gaertn. (Nelumbium speciosum, Willd. Nelumbo indica. Pers., and N. Nelumbo, Karst.). East Indian Lotus. Fig. 2455. Lvs. usually larger than those of N. lutea, glaucous: fls. fragrant, usually pink except in horticultural varieties, overtopping the lvs. Caspian Sea to Japan, Philippine Isls., India and N. Austral.; naturalized at Bordentown, N. J., where it was intro. by E. D. Sturtevant.— This plant is known to the trade as Egyptian lotus, but the lotus of the ancient Egyptians is a Nymphaea. This plant is not native to the Nile region. Many named forms are cult., e.g.: Fls. white: Var. alba (N. alba, Hort.), the "magnolia lotus." Var. Alba grandifldra, larger-fld. Var. alba striata, edge of petals striped and tipped with red. Var. pygmaea alba, dwarf: lvs. 6 in.: fls. 4 in. across. Var. alba plena (N. Shiroman), large, double Japanese form. Var. pygmaea alba plena, dwarf, double. Fls. pink to red: Var. Kinshiren, white shaded pink. Var. kernesina, light rose. Var. Grossherzog Ernst Ludwig (-N. fiavescens x N. Osiris), salmon-rose. Var. pygmaea rosea, dwarf, bright rose. Var. rosea, Hort., deep rosy pink. Var. Osiris, deep rose. Var. pulchra, dark rosy red. Var. pekin- ensis rubra, rosy carmine. Var. gigantea, very large, rose-purple. Var. rosea plena, double, deep rosy pink. Var. pekinensis rubra plena, very large, double, rosy carmine.
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Chinese people have long known that Lotus roots are a very healthy food and have been using them in this way for many centuries. Recent studies confirm this - Lotus roots were found to be rich in dietary fiber, vitamin C, potassium, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, phosphorus, copper, and manganese while very low in saturated fat.
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==Cultivation==
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[[Image:Lotus seed.jpg|thumb|left|Eating Lotus seeds]]
 
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The [[stamen]]s can be dried and made into a fragrant [[herbal tea]] called ''liánhuā cha'' ([[wikt:蓮花|蓮花]][[wikt:茶|茶]]) in Chinese, or (particularly in [[Vietnam]]) used to impart a scent to [[tea]] leaves. The [[lotus seed]]s or nuts (called ''liánzĭ'', 蓮子; or ''xian<!--need tone mark for "xian"--> liánzĭ'', 鲜莲子, in Chinese) 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, or boiled with dried [[longan]]s and rock sugar to made a ''[[tong sui]]'' (sweet soup).  Combined with sugar, [[lotus seed paste]] becomes one of the most common ingredient used in pastries such as [[mooncake]]s, ''[[daifuku]]'', and [[rice]] [[flour]] [[pudding]].
 
  
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Various parts of the '''sacred lotus''' are also used in traditional Asian [[herbal medicine]]. Lotus seeds called ''Phool Mukhana'' is also used in Indian cooking.<ref>[http://www.itmonline.org/arts/lotus.htm itmonline]</ref>
 
  
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The distinctive dried seed heads, which resemble the spouts of [[watering can]]s<sup>[http://img.alibaba.com/photo/50563547/Watering_Can.jpg photo]</sup> are widely sold throughout the world for decorative purposes and for dried [[Floristry|flower arranging]].
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===Propagation===
  
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===Religious symbolism===
 
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[[Image:Nelumbo nucifera1.jpg|thumb|right|Sacred Lotus]]
 
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[[Hinduism|Hindu]]s associate the lotus blossom with [[origin beliefs|creation mythology]], and with the gods [[Vishnu]], [[Brahma]], and the goddesses [[Lakshmi]] and [[Sarasvati]]. 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 [[Vishnu]] 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. Particularily Brahma and Lakshmi, the divinities of potence and wealth, have the lotus symbol associated
 
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with them. In Hindu [[iconography]], deities often are depicted with lotus flowers as their seats. In [[Hindi]] it is called कमल (Kamal) which is also a popular name for men, the female form is Kamala.
 
  
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The lotus flower is quoted extensively within [[Puranic]] and [[Vedas|Vedic]] literature, for example:
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===Pests and diseases===
  
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''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.''
 
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[[Bhagavad Gita]] 5.10
 
  
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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.  According to legend, he was born with the ability to walk and everywhere he stepped, lotus flowers bloomed.
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==Varieties==
  
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Drawing in turn on these Hindu and Buddhist beliefs, the international [[Bahá'í]] community adopted this symbolism in the design of the [[Bahá'í House of Worship#New Delhi.2C India|"Lotus Temple"]] in [[New Delhi]], India.
 
  
 
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==
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<gallery>
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Image:Nelumbo_nucifera_nucifea0.jpg|A blossom in formation
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<gallery perrow=5>
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Image:Nelumbo nucifera1.jpg|Sacred Lotus
 
Image:Nelumbo_nucifera3.jpg|Budding blossom
 
Image:Nelumbo_nucifera3.jpg|Budding blossom
 
Image:Lotus_Nelumbo_nucifera_Blossom_1800px.jpg|An opening blossom
 
Image:Lotus_Nelumbo_nucifera_Blossom_1800px.jpg|An opening blossom
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Image:Lotus_Nelumbo_nucifera_Seed_Head_Water_1800px.jpg|Another Seed head without petals
 
Image:Lotus_Nelumbo_nucifera_Seed_Head_Water_1800px.jpg|Another Seed head without petals
 
Image:Lotus Nelumbo nucifera Seed Head 2500px.jpg|More developed seed head
 
Image:Lotus Nelumbo nucifera Seed Head 2500px.jpg|More developed seed head
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Image:Lotus Nelumbo nucifera Blossoms 3264px.jpg|A dried seed head and a new blossom
 
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
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==See also==
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==References==
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{{Commons|Nelumbo nucifera}}
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<references/>
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*[[Lotus]]
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*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
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*[[Lotus seed]]
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<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->
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*[[Lotus Position]]
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<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
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*[[Nelumbo]]
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<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->
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*[[Tulsi]]
 
  
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==Notes==
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==External links==
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<div class="references-small">
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*{{wplink}}
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<references />
 
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</div>
 
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==References==
 
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*[http://www.tryptamind.com/nelumbo_nucifera.html The Sacred Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)]
 
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*[http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/plants/lotus_landing.html Plant Cultures: botany, history and uses of sacred lotus]
 
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*[http://www.exoticindiaart.com/article/lotus Lotus: From a Pond to a Palace Dome] by Prof. P.C. Jain and Dr Daljeet.
 
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*[http://www.hear.org/pier/species/nelumbo_nucifera.htm Pacific Island Ecosystems: ''Nelumbo nucifera'']
 
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*[http://www.itmonline.org/arts/lotus.htm ''Nelumbo nucifera'' in traditional Chinese medicine]
 
  
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[[Category:National symbols of India]]
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{{stub}}
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[[Category:Proteales]]
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__NOTOC__
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[[Category:Root vegetables]]
 

Latest revision as of 03:15, 11 January 2010


Nelumbo nucifera flower


Plant Characteristics
Cultivation
Scientific Names

Nelumbo >

nucifera >


If this plant info box on watering; zones; height; etc. is mostly empty you can click on the edit tab and fill in the blanks!



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

Nelumbo nucifera is known by a number of common names, including blue lotus, Indian lotus, sacred 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, Nelumbo nucifera was unknown, being introduced only at the time of the Persian invasions, late in ancient Egyptian history. The ancient Egyptians venerated the blue water-lily, Nymphaea caerulea, which was sometimes known as the "blue lotus" or "sacred lotus".

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 Joseph Banks and can be seen in 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 and Vietnam.

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]


Read about Nelumbo nucifera in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

Nelumbo nucifera, Gaertn. (Nelumbium speciosum, Willd. Nelumbo indica. Pers., and N. Nelumbo, Karst.). East Indian Lotus. Fig. 2455. Lvs. usually larger than those of N. lutea, glaucous: fls. fragrant, usually pink except in horticultural varieties, overtopping the lvs. Caspian Sea to Japan, Philippine Isls., India and N. Austral.; naturalized at Bordentown, N. J., where it was intro. by E. D. Sturtevant.— This plant is known to the trade as Egyptian lotus, but the lotus of the ancient Egyptians is a Nymphaea. This plant is not native to the Nile region. Many named forms are cult., e.g.: Fls. white: Var. alba (N. alba, Hort.), the "magnolia lotus." Var. Alba grandifldra, larger-fld. Var. alba striata, edge of petals striped and tipped with red. Var. pygmaea alba, dwarf: lvs. 6 in.: fls. 4 in. across. Var. alba plena (N. Shiroman), large, double Japanese form. Var. pygmaea alba plena, dwarf, double. Fls. pink to red: Var. Kinshiren, white shaded pink. Var. kernesina, light rose. Var. Grossherzog Ernst Ludwig (-N. fiavescens x N. Osiris), salmon-rose. Var. pygmaea rosea, dwarf, bright rose. Var. rosea, Hort., deep rosy pink. Var. Osiris, deep rose. Var. pulchra, dark rosy red. Var. pekin- ensis rubra, rosy carmine. Var. gigantea, very large, rose-purple. Var. rosea plena, double, deep rosy pink. Var. pekinensis rubra plena, very large, double, rosy carmine.


The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.


Cultivation

Propagation

Pests and diseases

Varieties

Gallery

  • Sacred Lotus

  • Budding blossom

  • An opening blossom

  • Fully opened flower

  • Seed head without petals

  • Another Seed head without petals

  • More developed seed head

References

  1. ↑ amjbot

External links


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