- Famous names include Indian Lotus, Kamal, Padma, and Sacred Lotus.
- The scientific name is Nelumbo nucifera.
- Adopted in the year 1950
- Native to Southeast Asian countries; cultivated in Australia, Europe, Japan, and the United States.
- Habitats are fixed bodies of water such as ponds, lakes, and man-made pools.
- Average 1.5 cm in length; 3 m in a horizontal spread
- Diameter on average: 0.6 m for the leaves; 0.2 m for the blooms
- 6 m for the leaves; 0.2 m for the blooms
India has a diverse range of plants. According to current data, India ranks tenth in the World and fourth in Asia in plant variety.
The Botanical Survey of India has described 47,000 plant species from approximately 70% of the geographical region covered thus far (BSI).
The Lotus (Nelumbo Nucifera Gaertn) is India’s national flower. It is a holy flower with a special place in ancient Indian art and mythology, and it has been an auspicious emblem of Indian culture from time immemorial.
The national flower of a country should be linked to its culture, history, and heritage. It aims to strengthen the country’s image to the rest of the World and to help preserve the nation’s virtues. Lotus is the flower of India.
It is an aquatic plant popular in Sanskrit as ‘Padma’ and is holy in Indian culture. From time immemorial, it has been part of Indian culture. The Lotus, an essential feature of Indian mythology, stands for Indian identity and represents the fundamental principles of the Indian spirit.
The Lotus represents spirituality, fertility, riches, knowledge, and illumination. The most significant aspect of the Lotus is that it remains impurity-free even after growing in muddy water. On the other hand, the Lotus represents the purity of heart and mind.
The ‘Lotus’ or water lily, the National Flower, is an aquatic plant of the Nymphaea genus with broad floating leaves and brilliant fragrant blooms that grows exclusively in shallow waterways. The Lotus’s leaves and blossoms float and have long stems with air holes. The petals of lotus flowers overlap in a proportionate arrangement.
The lotus’ roots are carried out by rhizomes that spread horizontally through the mud under the water. Prized for their peaceful beauty, Lotuses are lovely to watch as their flowers unfold on the pond’s surface.
The large, beautiful pink blooms with perfectly placed petals and broad wings exude tranquility and beauty. They are regarded sacred by Hindus, a significant portion of the Indian population, and so have numerous tales, religious mythology, and folklore around them.
It symbolizes long life, honor, good fortune, and victory. Lotus can survive in fresh shallow waters and muddy swamps, which may re-germinate for thousands of years, signifying survival and purity of heart, mind, and spirit under any circumstances.
Lotus is generally portrayed as God’s dwelling place and is commonly utilized in religious ceremonies and piety. Their high stems have air holes, and their roots are rhizomes. The lotus’ symbolic significance encompasses godliness, fertility, riches, knowledge, and illumination.
It is intended to encourage us to be pure and untouched by evil and to have a life of non-attachment. It is possible to create beautiful flowers despite the muddy setting it traverses.
The eyes of Lord Vishnu generally appear as Lotus flower petals in texts of Vedic times, with his pink feet called ‘Charan Kamal’ or ‘Lotus Feet’ His pink feet. It is often used as a theme in ancient Indian art and architecture.
What made it a national emblem in the first place?
In his book On the Cultural Significance of the Leaf of the Indian Lotus, Thomas Kintaert says, “There is hardly any symbolism in Indian poetry, sculpture, and painting more broad than that pertaining to the lotus flower and other parts of the plant.”
Because of its significance in ancient traditions, religions, and mythology, the Lotus was chosen as the national flower. Human people should rise beyond worldly attachments, just as the Lotus rises above the dirty waters in which it blooms. Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom, is reclining on a lotus, representing knowledge and beauty.
In India, the Lotus is one of the most common flowers, blooming in ponds, lakes, gardens, and even homes. According to the National Botanical Research Institute, commercial cultivation of aquatic plants, particularly the Lotus, is on the rise, which might lead to a lucrative floriculture sector.
Moreover, the Lotus remains an essential element of Hindu rites and celebrations. The Padma awards medallions of the Indian government have a lotus impression in the middle.
The Importance Of The Lotus Flower
The lotus flower is strongly infused with Indian philosophy. Swami Vivekananda emphasized the significance of Lotus leaves as a symbol of spiritual detachment in his essay “The Secret of Work,” writing, “Just as water cannot wet the lotus leaf, so work cannot bind the selfless man by giving birth to attachment to results.”
The lotus plant is reminiscent of this powerful imagery indicating this spiritually wanted way of existence; the way it thrives among dirt and fog yet remains clean and supports something of enormous beauty is evocative of this powerful imagery symbolizing this spiritually desired way of life.
A National Flower Of India has mythical importance in Hinduism; Vishnu and Lakshmi are generally shown standing on a pink National Flower Of India, while the goddess Saraswati is usually depicted on a white National Flower Of India. God Vishnu is also known as the “Lotus-Eyed One.”
A National Flower Of India signifies heavenly beauty in Buddhism, as it emerges from muck into a lovely blossom. It also represents the purity of body, speech, and mind. Because the bloom hovers above muddy waters, it also signifies attachment and yearning, making it a popular flower.
Where is Lotus found in the World?
The Indian Lotus, Nelumbo nucifera, is native to Eastern Asia, although it may be found growing in semi-tropical climates all over the World. It is most widespread on the Indian subcontinent, particularly in India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, but also in other Southeast Asian countries such as Bali, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
It is grown for its aesthetic value in Australia and European nations. It may also be found in tropical regions of the United States.
Lotus Flower Climate and Water Requirements
Although lotus flowers thrive in warmer regions, they may also thrive in gloomy locations. In desert locations, however, it is better to keep these blooms in the shade to prevent the burning heat.
Throughout the summer, a lotus flower must be kept at a temperature of at least 75 degrees Fahrenheit to thrive to its full potential. A lotus bloom thrives in water depths of 18 inches or more. Although the flower is adaptable to many aquatic systems, you should avoid growing it in mineral-rich, especially hard and alkaline water.
This is because they can accumulate minerals in the water over time, which might harm the plant. If you wish to grow lotus plants in a container, you’ll need to replace evaporation by draining out any hard water and replacing it with fresh water.
Anatomy of India Lotus
The Lotus stem is buried in the muddy soil at the bottom of the water body where it is found. It transforms into a rhizome, which functions as both an anchoring device and a storage organ. Short, fibrous roots protrude from the stem internodes in bunches.
The National Flower Of India leaves are simple, with only one per leaf stem. Green, long, spherical, and hollow stalks grow upwards from the rhizomatous stem. The blooms and leaves are held aloft by stalks that extend 2-3 cm above the water’s surface. Because the stems and stalks have permeable vasculature, they may float in water.
The waxy top surface of the leaves is water-resistant. The plant’s main feature is its big, beautiful blooms, usually pink or white. The thalamus is a cone-shaped core female reproductive organ surrounded by delicate petals.
The National Flower Of India bud has a tear-drop shape with a pointy tip and densely packed petals. The petals are transparent and open in a spiral shape with overlapping petals. The petals bloom for three days after they open in the morning. After sunset, the petals close, trapping the pollinating agents.
The ovaries, which grow into seeds following fertilization, are implanted in solitary chambers along the surface of the spongy thalamus’ central yellow receptacle. The seeds are hard, oval, and dark brown in shape.
Cultivation Method and Uses
Aside from its attractive appearance, the entire lotus plant has significant economic and medical significance. Every component of the plant may be eaten. The petals are frequently utilized for decorative reasons such as garnishing.
The mature leaves are frequently used for packing and serving food. In India, serving meals on a lotus leaf is said to be helpful to one’s health. Most East Asian countries, including China, Korea, and Indonesia, consume rhizomes and leaf stalks as vegetables.
The rhizome is boiled, diced, fried, and used in salads and vinegar pickling. It’s high in fiber, vitamins B1, B2, B6, and C, and minerals, including potassium, manganese, phosphorus, and copper. The lotus seed is a well-known nut that is often consumed uncooked.
They can also be fried or dry roasted to make Phool makhana, a popcorn-like snack. Lotus seed paste is commonly used in Asian desserts such as mooncakes, rice flour pudding, and daifuku.
The National Flower Of India has various therapeutic properties in herbal medicine. The flower’s lotus tea is used to cure cardiac issues. It also has cleansing properties and helps to halt blood flow in injuries. The lotus root is good for the stomach and the reproductive system.
It promotes the normal development of the baby during pregnancy. The lotus root is used to cure a variety of health concerns, including throat problems and skin discoloration. It is also used to cure diseases like smallpox and diarrhea. The lotus seed is good for the kidneys and spleen. The lotus leaves wrap other food goods to keep them fresh.
What Is The Best Way To Grow A Lotus Flower?
To grow a lotus ‘The National Flower Of India’ at home, you may do it by following these simple steps:
- The first step is to position the seed. You may get the seeds from any local shop or purchase them online.
- Put these seeds in a glass or a basin of warm water to soak. Remove floaters since they indicate infertility.
- Keep an eye on the seeds for any sprout roots and replace the water daily.
- Fill a small pot with loose garden soil and create an incision at the top when you see roots. Place the sprouting seeds in the pot, softly covering them with garden dirt.
- Place the pot with the transplant in two inch of the water container. Ensure the water is warm and at a constant depth of two inches.
- Place the container in a bright location where the plant will receive at least 8 hours of direct sunshine.
- Keep the plant in the exact location until it grows additional roots and leaves.
- Once the plant has grown stronger roots and leaves, move it to its final watery habitat.
Amazing Facts About The National Flower Of India
Here are several unusual as well as popular facts about the lotus flower, which is also India’s national flower.
- Lotus is not just India’s national flower; it is also Vietnam’s national flower. Both countries’ national symbols are pink-colored flowers.
- Although a lotus flower is only about 49 inches tall, it may extend as far as 10 feet horizontally in the water.
- The seeds of a Lotus, the National Flower of India, may sprout even after 1300 years of dormancy, believe it or not.
- This lovely flower blooms only in the morning and fades at night.
- A golden lotus is a Buddhist emblem of perfect enlightenment.
- Lotus flowers have air pockets that let them float on a body of water.
- More than 740,000 acres of Chinese land are dedicated to lotus farming, and lotuses are typically grown alongside rice and vegetables in crop rotation.
- Many components of a lotus flower, including the stalks and petals, are edible.
