The Bean of India

The Lotus

• also called Indian lotus, sacred lotus, or, my personal favorite, the bean of India
• this plant, commonly confused with the water lily, is native to the tropical regions of Asia and Queensland, Australia
• lotus are aquatic plants
• their roots reside in the soil of the pond or river in which they live
• while the leaves and blooms float at the surface of the water
• it’s a perennial, meaning that it is capable of living for more than two years
• a lotus can even live on long after it’s dead
• their seeds remain viable for years after the flower dies away
• the oldest reported lotus germination was in a northeastern area of China in 1994
• and the seed was determined to be 1300 years old!

• lotus flowers are also incredible in that they are able to regulate their own temperature
• much like us warm blooded creatures are able to regulate ours
• even when air temperatures drop by twenty degrees celsius, the flowers still stay within their thirty to thirty five degree range
• the lotus and all its parts have more than just scientific significance
• the flowers, seeds, leaves, and roots are all edible
• and actually quite high in nutritional content
• the leaves are often used to wrap food, more as a packaging agent than for consumptive purposes
• the flowers are used in an herbal tea called tisane
• roots can be stir fried or pickled or even eaten raw
• seeds can be dried and popped like popcorn or made into a paste that is a common ingredient in mooncakes

The Hindu goddess Lakshmi resides on a pink lotus flower

• lotus flowers also have a high degree of cultural and religious significance
• Hindu goddesses Vishnu and Lakshmi are often depicted with these flowers, as the unfolding blooms are thought to signify the expansion of the soul
• the flower also represents the concept of spiritual promise
• this beautiful flower growing from the muddy depths of a river signifies hope

The lotus flower’s influence is far reaching, touching both science and spirituality simultaneously. That is an impressive feat for one plant.