Lotus flowers are the true beauty of nature. Their soothing fragrance and aesthetic appearance have been captivating our senses for centuries. What’s even more interesting is that the construction of the Lotus Temple, located in Delhi, is inspired by the intricate design of the lotus flower. Moreover, lotus flowers hold great significance in various cultures and religions. They are considered the epitome of beauty and piousness. Here are some other interesting facts about lotus flowers.
Amazing Fun Facts About Lotus Flower
Table of Contents
1. Nelumbo Nucifera is the scientific name for the lotus flowers.
2. The lotus is the national flower of India and Vietnam.
3. It is an aquatic plant of the Nymphaea family.
4. It is native to Asia and is commonly found in China and India.
5. Pink and white is the most common colour variation of lotus flowers.
6. It thrives in warmer seasons and can be found in lakes and ponds.
7. Lotus flowers can reach up to twenty inches above the water.
8. Lotus flowers grow in muddy waters.
9. Lotus flowers have fleshy and thick stems, known as rhizomes.
10. Ancient Egyptians and even Indians consider lotus flowers the symbol of Sun Go as their petals open up with the rising sun and close as the sun sets.
11. The stalk of lotus flowers is covered with tiny spikes called prickles.
12. Lotus flowers symbolize fertility, wealth, and knowledge.
13. According to Hindu mythology, lotus flowers are the seat of the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Brahma.
14. Lotus flowers provide shelter and protection to fish and underwater plants.
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10 Interesting Facts About Lotus Flower
These are some of the interesting facts about the Lotus
- In 1951, archaeologists sprouted a 1,300‑year‑old lotus seed from Northeastern China.
- Lotus can regulate its internal temperature. Generally, they maintain it around 30–35 °C when the air temperature is above 20 degrees.
- You can see the nectar guides in the Lotus petals if it is under UV light. This pattern is normally invisible to humans and visible to bees.
- People in Australia, Europe,e and the US also eat lotus rhizome
- Lotus plants were one of the first flowering plants grown in the Russian space Station Mir. In 199,5, these plants were grown to study the effects of microgravity.
- In certain art, wilted lotus heads showcase the climate change brought about by droughts.
- The Petals and stamens are a natural yellow and orange dye source. They are used to colour silk in parts of Laos and Thailand.
- Engineers have copied the microscopic bumps on lotus leaves to make self‑cleaning coatings for buildings and solar panels.
- Lotus has more than 100 volatile aromatic compounds. This is more than roses.
- Lotus see oil is also used in skin care products and other cosmetic products.
6 Lotus Flower Fun Facts
Here are some fun facts about the lotus flower:
- In folk music traditions, dried lotus seed pods are strung together and used as percussion instruments
- Buntanese and the Nepalese people mix lotus petals with other plant fibres to create a translucent handmade paper.
- Moreover, Yixing clay teapots are often created to resemble lotus pods
- In China, the lotus stamens are crystallised in sugar. This is done to create a lotus candy. It is eaten as an offering or a sweet snack.
- The lotus leaves are so hydrophobic that water beads roll off them. This inspired the “lotus mirror”. The lotus mirror is a photographic technique where drops on glass mimic lotus‑leaf reflections.
- Within lotus rhizomes, specialised cells deposit needle‑like calcium‑oxalate crystals (raphides). Therefore, when you eat it, it causes irritation.
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FAQ
Lotus is the throne of the Hindu god Brahma and goddess Lakshmi. It has air gaps in its long stem while the rhizomes act as roots. Moreover, lotus flowers are considered divine and pious. Nelumbo Nucifera is their scientific name.
Lotus flowers hold great significance in Buddhism and Hinduism. They are considered a symbol of purity, good luck, and the cycle of death and rebirth.
Lotuses are day-blooming flowers. They bloom in the early morning and close by the night. This pattern continues up to 3 to 5 days, their average lifespan.
As per science, the lotus is a hydrophobic plant. Its leaf’s nanostructure combines waxy papillae and micro‑bumps. This reduces contact to less than 5%. Therefore, water drops pick up dirt as they roll off. This phenomenon is also called the Lotus effect. Moreover, the lotus flowers can reflect up to 60% of the UV light. This makes them visible to UV sensitive insects.
Unlike other plants, lotus have their roots latched in mud, and submerge it every night into the river water. Surprisingly, it re-blooms the next morning. Due to this lotus are often associated with rebirth.
There are several legends associated with the lotus flower. As per Bhuddist legends, when Queen Maya Dev had Lord Buddha in her womb, she dreamt about a white Elephant carrying a white Lotus in its trunk. After Bhudda was born, wherever he stepped,a lotus flower flourished.
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