Nelumbo nucifera

Botanical Description

Nelumbo nucifera is perennial water plant, growing from a tuberous rootstock lying in mud at the bottom of lakes and ponds. The plant produces large leaves which float on the surface of the water. The Sacred Lotus of India has a long history of use as a food crop and medicine in tropical and subtropical Asia, where it is also seen as a symbol of purity and beauty. The plant is often cultivated for food and medicine, and is often sold in markets[ 1 Title RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Publication Author F. Chittendon. Publisher Oxford University Press Year 1951 ISBN - Description Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [ 200 ]). , 2 Title Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Publication Author Hedrick. U. P. Publisher Dover Publications Year 1972 ISBN 0-486-20459-6 Description Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references. ]. A very ornamental plant[ 1 Title RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Publication Author F. Chittendon. Publisher Oxford University Press Year 1951 ISBN - Description Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [ 200 ]). ], there are many named varieties some of which have been developed for their edible uses[ 183 Title Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Publication Author Facciola. S. Publisher Kampong Publications Year 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 Description Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world. ]. It is said that pink-flowered forms are preferred for their edible seeds whilst the white-flowered forms are preferred for their edible roots[ 264 Title Vegetables Publication Author Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Publisher Macmillan Reference Books, London. Year 1995 ISBN 0 333 62640 0 Description Excellent and easily read book with good information and an excellent collection of photos of vegetables from around the world, including many unusual species. ].