The Sacred Lotus Flower
The lotus (Nelumbo nucifera), like the rose, is a flower rich with meaning in many cultures across millennia. It symbolizes, among other things, purity and rebirth. Rhizomes root in the muck of still bodies of water and flowers of stunning beauty emerge high above murky waters with pristine petals.
Plant characteristics:
Leaves can reach 2’ across, have a hydrophobic surface and can hold a small amount of water in the center. These features along with the large blooms ensure the lotus patch is always alive with dragonflies, bees and other pollinators. The plants also provide shelter for frogs and fish. The seeds feed wildlife (and humans!).
Blooms open and close with the sun. They are roughly 8-12” in diameter. Each flower is fleeting but as it dies, it releases seed and another bloom arises to take its place. Petals have a texture unlike any other, similar to a finely woven, waterproof textile.
Peduncles and petioles contain hollow, vertical channels that run from top to bottom. A cross section looks similar to a sliced lotus root. Lotus sap has the appearance of extremely fine threads; it can be spun into silk!
Lotus are enduring plants. The seed coating is extremely hard (one should nick it to aid germination) and enables the seed to remain viable for centuries. The oldest viable seed for which an age could be determined by carbon dating was that of a lotus, over 1000 years old! In traditional Eastern medicine, lotus seeds are believed to have properties that enhance longevity. All parts of the plant are edible.
Another unusual characteristic of the sacred lotus is its ability to regulate the temperature of its flowers within a narrow range (86F to 95F). As the sun sets and ambient temperatures decrease, flowers take in more oxygen and produces heat (1 watt); this process slows down once the sun rises. It is thought that the plant does this to provide a favorable environment for pollinators.
Sacred lotus flowers are very fleeting. Pods are used by floral designers in arrangements, but they are only available dried commercially (dark brown, large holes). Freshly harvested green pods are a very rare and unusual offering that I am tickled pink to bring to my local customers. Lotus leaves are striking in their own right and are featured in ikebana arrangements. However, if using fresh, they require special conditioning with the use of moisturizing agents and injection with a kirifuki sprayer to maintain an ephemeral vase life. The devoted floral artist can achieve stunning visual effects with careful drying.
