Eden

Penang Botanic Gardens Plant Collection

Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (NELUMBONACEAE)

Posted at — Nov 13, 2019
Lotus, Teratai, Lian Hua

Description

Perennial aquatic plant. Rhizomes grow in the mud at the bottom of shallow ponds. Leaves peltate with stalks 1-2 m long holding lamina above water, lamina 35-60 cm diameter. Flowers large, about 20-25 cm across, rosy pink, rarely white. Fruits conical structure with seeds embedded; seeds ellipsoid, 1.2-1.7 cm across.

Ecology

Warm temperate to tropical climates in shallow wetland habitats of ponds, lakes, pools, lagoons, marshes, swamps and backwaters of reservoirs.

Distribution

Native from S Russia, throughout S and SE Asia to tropical Australia.

Uses

Widely grown in Asia for its edible rhizomes and seeds. Leaves used as a wrapper and to wrap food items for steaming. Often grown also as an ornamental for its flowers.