Lotus Flower facts

While investigating facts about Lotus Flower, I found out little known, but curios details like:

Lotuses are basically night clubs for beetles because they are able to keep their flowers at a constant 30-35°C even during cold nights. Beetles trapped "when the petals on these bowl-shaped blooms closed up for the night were indeed very active, spending the night mating and feeding".

Lotus and water lily look similar but they belong to different genera. They differ in the color of the flower and type of the seed pod.

In my opinion, it is useful to put together a list of the most interesting details from trusted sources that I've come across. Here are 13 of the best facts about Lotus Flower I managed to collect.

1. Lotus produces seed in the circular pod located in the center of the flower.

2. Dried pod of lotus flower is very decorative and often used in floral arrangements. Petals are also used in ornamental purposes.

3. Flower can reach 8 inches in diameter. Lotus is either pink or white in color. Petals are shaped like a dagger. They are arranged in several layers. Lotus flower protrudes several inches above the water. This flower is known by its beautiful odor.

4. Flower opens in the morning and closes at night. Lotus was a symbol of sun, rebirth and creation in the ancient Egypt because of this unusual behavior which marks the beginning and the end of the day.

5. Lotus is worshiped and considered as sacred flower in Buddhism. Depending on the number of petals, it symbolizes either cosmic harmony (eight petals) or spiritual illumination (thousand petals). Buddhists turn lotus into powder and use it in different ceremonies.

6. Unlike other flowering plants, lotus is able to maintain stable temperature of the flower. Scientists believe that warmth of the flowers attracts cold blooded insects.

7. Flower, young leaves, seeds and root are edible and often used in Asian cuisine. Older and bigger leaves are used for wrapping of food. Lotus is rich in fibers and vitamins of the B group. It is also rich source of iron and other important minerals.

8. The Indian lotus flower can maintain a temperature of 30–35 °C (86–95 °F), even when the air temperature drops to 10 °C (50 °F)

9. The lotus effect refers to self-cleaning properties that are a result of ultrahydrophobicity as exhibited by the leaves of Nelumbo or "lotus flower". Dirt particles are picked up by water droplets due to the micro- and nanoscopic architecture on the surface, which minimizes the droplet'

10. Early editions of The Jungle Book feature a swastika and a picture of an elephant carrying a lotus flower on the cover, reflecting the influence of Indian culture in Kipling's work.

Lotus Flower data charts

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What is true about lotus flower?

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Tōshōdai-ji Temple in Nara, Japan, was founded in 759 by the Tang dynasty Chinese monk Jianzhen. A reflection written by Yan Wenjing on the hope for friendly Sino-Japanese relations describing Lotus flowers imported from China had been planted around the Temple's portrait of Jianzhen