- Facts About the Indian Lotus Flower: . With its petals spread wide to reveal a crown of brilliant yellow stamens, the lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is a symbol of serenity and purity throughout Asia. It grows in water ponds that can reach depths of 8 feet. .The lotus grows in tropical regions of Asia east of Iran, especially in India and Southeast Asia, and in Australia. . It is an aquatic perennial that thrives in shallow ponds, lagoons and marshes that sends rootlike rhizomes into the mud while leaves rise above the water on 3- to 6-foot petioles. . The leaves are notably water-resistant, and when they open, delicate pink petals surround a brilliant yellow core of stamens and pistils. . The plant is hermaphroditic and is pollinated by insects and beetles. . The roots have a delicate taste and crunchy texture. . The leaves make a nutritious vegetable when young and can serve as plates or food wrappers when mature . . The seeds, which contain about 15 percent protein and 70 percent carbohydrate, can be popped like popcorn, ground into flour or roasted and brewed like coffee. Lotus seeds are extremely hardy and long-lived. . The petals are not particularly tasty, but often serve as a garnish for soups, and the stamens sometimes serve as flavoring for tea. . In Asia have also been using them medicinally for centuries. Traditionally, the flowers have been brewed into a heart tonic and the stalk used to treat excessive bleeding. . The seeds are used in a tonic for digestive problems and diarrhea, and the dried roots, when taken internally, are traditionally believed to have an effect on excessive bleeding.
Posted on: Thu, 07 Aug 2014 22:51:52 +0000