Nelumbonaceae | Sacred Lotus, American Lotus, Aquatic Flowering Plants (2024)

FAQs

What adaptations help lotus and water lily survive in water? ›

The flower, seed, leaf, and underground stem are used as medicine. Lotus contains chemicals that seem to breakdown fat tissue. These effects might help with weight loss. It also contains flavonoids, such as quercetin, which have anti-inflammatory effects.

Lotus is an emerged aquatic plant. It has plate-like broad leaves. Its roots are fixed into the soil and stems are several inches long and emerged out of water.

American lotus roots, leaves, and seeds are edible. Native Americans were known to eat the starchy rhizomes, and young leaves can be cooked and eaten like spinach. Immature seeds can be eaten raw, and the seed pods are commonly used in floral arrangements.

Water lilies have a number of adaptations that help them survive in water, including big leaves that float on the water's surface to attract ample sunlight for photosynthesis. The top side of the leaf is covered with a cuticle to keep it as dry as possible, and the underside has thorns to protect against predators.

Final answer: Water lily is a floating aquatic plant.

Spiritual Symbolism: Vastu experts consider the lotus flower a symbol of spirituality. Placing a lotus plant in the house is thought to bring happiness, prosperity, and alleviate sorrows, especially when positioned at the centre of the house.

The lotus plant has been eaten as a food for 7,000 years in Asia. Its stem and roots are often added to soups and stir-fries, but its leaves, flowers, and seeds are also used in cooking (1, 2 , 3 ). Lotus flowers are popular ornamental plants in Asia.

The edible part of the lotus plant is the root, seeds, and young flower stalks. When the lotus seeds inside the seed head are green, they can be eaten raw as they are sweet. When the seeds become brown, they can be made into a paste or ground into flour for baking.

Lotuses are day-blooming plants, opening early in the morning and closing by mid-afternoon. They completely close up at night. This bloom pattern continues throughout their lifespan, which is typically 3 to 5 days. On the third day, the petals begin to fall, leaving behind their seedpod.

Can lotus purify water? ›

This research shows that lotus is very efficient in the capability of reducing the amount of nutrients and suspended solids from the discharge water.

nucifera to counteract water eutrophication. The leaves of the floating lotus reduce sunlight reaching the lower part of the water. This suppresses algae growth in N. nucifera aquatic systems and thus, the oxygen content is up to 20% higher than in other aquatic plant systems.

Compounds found in the plant, such as quercetin and catechin, are recognized for their anti-inflammatory effects. Chronic inflammation is a precursor to a slew of health issues, and the American Lotus may play a role in preventing or alleviating these conditions.

LEAVES AND STEMS- Leaves or stems of the lotus can be eaten raw or cooked. 4.) FLOWERS- Flowers can be dried and used in recipes for cooking. All parts of the lotus have been used for medicinal purposes for several ailments.

The large acorn like seeds of American lotus are utilized by some ducks and other wildlife. Beavers and muskrats will consume the rhizomes.

The leaves of a water lily have long leaf-stalks filled with air spaces. This adaptation helps the plant to float on water. The leaf blades are broad with an oily coat. Stomata are present only on the upper surface of the leaf that is exposed to air.

The parenchyma tissues that are present in this plant contain modified, specialized tissues called aerenchyma. The aerenchyma has many large cavities within it that are filled with air. It is these air filled cavities that give the plant its buoyancy.