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Sacred Lotus
Nelumbo nucifera
ハス
A perennial aquatic plant growing in ponds and paddy fields. Deeply associated with Buddhism, it is commonly planted in temple ponds. Revered as a symbol of purity for blooming clean flowers from muddy water. Seeds have been known to germinate after thousands of years of dormancy.
Identification Points
- ✓Leaves are circular and repel water in droplets (lotus effect)
- ✓Flowers are large, pale pink to white, and fragrant
- ✓The receptacle (torus) is honeycomb-shaped with seeds embedded in it
Habitat
Ponds, lotus fields, and temple ponds
Season
July–August (flowers)
3D Specimen Model
Kyushu University, Shikano Lab (CC0)
View on Sketchfab→Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Growth form
Herb
Leaf shape
Round
Habitat
Aquatic
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf type
Simple
Venation
Palmate
Leaf dissection
Undivided
Flower symmetry
Actinomorphic
Plant sex
Hermaphrodite
Latex
Present
Phylogenetic Positionスイレン科 →
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Basal angiosperms > Nymphaeales > Nymphaeaceae
Divergence Era
Early Cretaceous (ca. 110 Ma onwards)
Evolution Notes
Nelumbo is sometimes placed in its own family (Nelumbonaceae) separate from Nymphaeaceae sensu lato. It belongs to a basal angiosperm lineage that already existed in the Cretaceous period.
View on evolution timeline →Sources & References
AI-generated, needs verification