# Sacred Lotus (*Nelumbo nucifera*) The Sacred Lotus is a beautiful flower that grows in water. Its big, round leaves float on the surface, and it blooms with lovely pink or white petals. This flower is special because it can grow in muddy water and still look amazing! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands - **Also known as:** Lotus Flower ![Sacred Lotus](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Sacred_lotus_Nelumbo_nucifera.jpg&width=800) Photo: T.Voekler, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sacred_lotus_Nelumbo_nucifera.jpg) ## Appearance The Sacred Lotus has large, showy flowers, typically vibrant pink or pure white, that stand high above the water. Its enormous, circular leaves are waxy and repel water, often reaching over two feet in diameter, and it features a distinctive, cone-shaped seed pod. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Proteales - **Family:** Nelumbonaceae - **Genus:** Nelumbo ## Interesting facts - Its huge leaves can reach two feet wide, like giant waterproof dinner plates! - Sacred Lotus flowers can glow extra bright in UV light to attract insects! - The sacred lotus can live for thousands of years, making it an incredibly ancient plant! - This plant's ancient seeds have sprouted after lying dormant for over 1,300 years! ## Special abilities - **Super Clean Coat:** Sacred Lotus has superhydrophobic leaves that repel water and dirt, keeping them spotless. - **Warm Heart Flower:** Sacred Lotus can regulate its flower temperature, creating a warm haven for pollinating beetles. - **Floaty Foundations:** Air channels in stems help Sacred Lotus leaves and flowers float high above the water's surface. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 50-150 cm - **Spread:** 100-300 cm - **Flower Size:** 10-30 cm - **Bloom Season:** Summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honeybee (*Apis mellifera*) — Visits flowers for nectar and pollen. - **Eaten by:** Mallard (*Anas platyrhynchos*) — Feeds on seeds and rhizomes. - **Shelter:** Chinese Tree Frog (*Hyla chinensis*) — Hides among the broad leaves. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Night Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/night-blooming): Night blooming plants open their flowers after sunset, often to attract nocturnal pollinators with their scent and appearance. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always stay close to an adult when exploring near water. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Sacred Lotus? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Sacred Lotus? 50-150 cm ### How wide does Sacred Lotus spread? 100-300 cm ### How big are the flowers on Sacred Lotus? 10-30 cm ### When does Sacred Lotus bloom? Summer ### Is Sacred Lotus edible? Yes ### Is Sacred Lotus toxic? None ### What is Sacred Lotus's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Wilhelma Zoologisch-Botanischer Garten Stuttgart](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/wilhelma-stuttgart) — Baden-Württemberg, DE · Zoo - [Arboretum Ellerhoop](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arboretum-ellerhoop) — Schleswig-Holstein, DE · Park - [Botanischer Garten Kiel](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/botanischer-garten-kiel) — Schleswig-Holstein, DE · Park - [Villa Taranto Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/villa-taranto-botanical-gardens) — IT · Park - [La Concepción Botanical-Historical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/la-concepcion-botanical-historical-garden) — Andalucía, ES · Park - [Mincio Regional Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mincio-regional-park) — IT · Park [View all places to see Sacred Lotus](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/sacred-lotus) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Sacred Lotus: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sacred-lotus)