Lotus - Nelumbo nucifera

Common Name :	Lotus, Indian Lotus.
Botanical Name :	Nelumbo nucifera
Family :	Nelumbonaceae
Bengali Name :	Poddo ful (পদ্ম ফুল), Komol (কমল)
Photo taken :	Bangladesh

In English, this is known as Lotus, Indian lotus, etc. This is considered as the national flower of India. People of India also call this as Padma. In Pakistan, this is known as Nilufer. In Bangladesh this is known as Poddo ( পদ্ম), Komol ( কমল), etc. Botanical name of Lotus is Nelumbo nucifera. It belongs to the plant family Nelumbonaceae (Lotus family). The lotus flower is highly revered to the both Hindu and Buddhist people as lot of their deities are directly related with this flower.





Like the lily flower, Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is another species that grows in water and having almost the similar structures. Some people may confuse with lilies and lotuses. But if you look closely, you'll find that the leafs of lotus are round/semi-round shaped and the stalk is exactly at center of bottom side. At other hand, the leafs of lily are having slightly sliced up (like a piece of cake is taken off from the whole). Also, the flowers are different too. Specially the petal's structures and the curves.





Leaf stalks are vascular, and the large leafs are easily buoyant around the flowers. Leafs are having smooth at the upper surface with lovely foliage. Water from raindrop can easily slips over the leaf. 40/50 years back in my country Bangladesh, people were selling salts in the Lotus leafs. What a nature friendly way that was!

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) flowers can be in different colors. I've only seen white and pink one. Flower can be up to 20 cm in diameter. Flowers are having plenty of curvy oval shaped petals (like a spoon which can float for the curve). Slightly fragrant lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) flowers are extremely beautiful.

A closer look to the ovary and stamens of the flower.

Fruit of the flower containing delicious nuts.

Photos of this article were taken from Bangladesh as follows:
1. June 2012: Chapainawabganj.
2. October 2012: Ghagutia.


This article has written by Lonely Traveler,
for the blog http://icflora.blogspot.com/