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Lotus-eaters

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“Of all the plants in the world, the lotus flower is the most unique.”

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“Of all the plants in the world, the lotus flower is the most unique.”

The rhizomes mature to a suitable stage for eating in approximately six to nine months. Lotus varieties have been classified according to their use into three types: Varieties that show more than one of these characteristics are classified by the strongest feature. Rhizome lotus cultivars produce higher yield of and better quality rhizomes than seed and flower lotus.

Furthermore, this group grows the tallest and produces no or very few flowers. Cultivars can be classified by harvest time or by the depth of rhizomes into these types:. Average yield of these cultivars is 7. The characteristics of seed lotus cultivars are a large number of carpels and seed sets as well as large seeds with better nutritional properties. Roots of these varieties are thin, fibrous and do not form good rhizomes. Average yield of these cultivars in China is 1. Flower lotus cultivars are used exclusively for ornamental purpose , produce a large number of flowers and the lowest plant height.

Flower types differ in the number of petals single petals, double petals or multi-petals and their colours range from single colour in white, yellow, pink, red to bi-colour, most often of white petals with pink tip or highlights. In , the cultivation area in China was estimated at , hectares , acres. The most widely used system is crop rotation with rice and vegetables. This system is applicable if the propagule small piece of rhizome can be planted early in the year. The rhizomes are harvested in July, after which rice can be planted into the same field. Rice is then harvested in October.

From November until March, the field stays either free, or a terricolous vegetable such as cabbage or spinach, is planted. Alternatively, the vegetable can also be planted after the harvest of lotus. Another alternative way is to not harvest the lotus rhizome , although it is ripe. A terricolous vegetable is planted between the rhizomes into the drained field. The rhizomes are then harvested next March. A third way is to plant lotus in ponds or fields and raise aquatic animals such as fish , shrimp or crab in the same field.

They are consumed as a vegetable in Asian countries, extensively in China and Japan: They are fried or cooked mostly in soups, soaked in syrup or pickled in vinegar with sugar, chili and garlic.

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Unfortunately, fresh lotus root slices are limited by a fast browning rate. Japan grows its own lotus but still must import 18, tons of lotus rhizome each year, of which China provides 15, tons yearly. Rhizomes contain high amounts of starch The texture is comparable to a raw potato. Lotus pip tea is consumed in Korea.

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Fresh lotus seeds simplified Chinese: Therefore, mostly dry lotus seed-based products are found on the market. Traditional sun baking combining with charcoal processing dries the seeds but results in loss of nutrients. Lotus seeds can be processed into moon cake , lotus seed noodles and food in forms of paste , fermented milk, rice wine, ice cream, popcorn phool makhana and others, with lotus seeds as the main raw material.

Fresh lotus seed wine has thirst quenching, spleen healing and anti-diarrheal advantages after drinking. There is still much potential for research and development, mainly reflected in the extraction, separation and purification of lotus seed nutrients and bioactive compounds. Young lotus stems are used as a salad ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine.

In South Indian states, the lotus stem is sliced, marinated with salt to dry, and the dried slices are fried and used as a side dish. The stamens can be dried and made into a fragrant herbal tea Chinese: The petals, leaves and rhizome can also all be eaten raw, but there is a risk of parasite transmission e. Nelumbo nucifera shows high potential for usage in wastewater treatment removing polluting compounds [39] and heavy metals. This suppresses algae growth in N. It also assimilates nitrogen " denitrification " and creates a habitat for bacterial growth in the water body. Currently most rhizomes are consumed fresh and it is not common to store them due to their poor shelf life performance.

Rhizomes quickly lose water, oxidation occurs and nutrient composition changes within a short time after harvest. By stacking the rhizomes, they are storable and remain fresh for about three weeks. Special stacking with silver sand [ clarification needed ] and soil results in five to six layers that prevent water loss, thus the rhizome stays fresh for up to two months. Hydrogen sulfide fumigation reduces enzymatic browning and therefore ensures rhizome quality. This treatment is related to high cost and inefficient cleaning process before eating the rhizomes [ clarification needed ]. Nelumbo nucifera contains some thermal-stable proteins that might be useful in protein bio engineering processes.

The proteins are characterized by seed longevity used for cell protection and repair under stress. The distinctive dried seed heads, which resemble the spouts of watering cans , are widely sold throughout the world for decorative purposes and for dried flower arranging.

In Asia, the petals are sometimes used for garnish, while the large leaves are used as a wrap for food, not frequently eaten for example, as a wrapper for zongzi. A unique fabric from the lotus plant fibers is produced only at Inle lake , Myanmar and in Siem Reap Cambodia is used for weaving special robes for Buddha images called kya thingahn lotus robe.

All parts of Nelumbo nucifera are edible, with the rhizome and seeds being the main consumption parts. Traditionally rhizomes, leaves, and seeds have been used as folk medicines , Ayurveda , Chinese traditional medicine , and oriental medicine. Lotus rhizomes and seeds and their processing by-products are widely consumed in Asia, Americas, and Oceania for high content of physiologically active substances. As early as the Han Dinasty , lotus seeds were already recorded as sweet, astringent, nourishing the heart and kidney in "Shen Nong's Herbal Classic".

These days the perennial aquatic herb is gaining popularity because of its nutraceutical and historical importance [53] [38] It will be of economic value if the different parts of lotus can be developed as functional food. The lotus root is used to add seasoning to food.

Lotus root is a moderate calorie root vegetable g of root-stem provides about 74 calories and is composed of several vitamins , minerals , and nutrients: Lotus rhizome and its extracts have shown diuretic, psychopharmacological , anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, hypoglycemic , antipyretic and antioxidant activities.

Lotus seeds are mostly oval or spherical, with sizes varying according to varieties. They are generally 1. After lotus seeds have been decorticated and peeled, they are edible and rich in nutrients, and can be dried for storage. Their nutritional values can differ due to culture environments and varieties. The functional components polyphenols, protein, polysaccharides in N.

After lotus seed germination , crude protein and fat levels in the endosperm significantly increase. It is therefore an important method to enhance its nutritional quality. Nelumbo nucifera is the species of lotus sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists. Hindus revere it with the divinities Vishnu and Lakshmi often portrayed on a pink lotus in iconography. In the representation of Vishnu as Padmanabha Lotus navel , a lotus issues from his navel with Brahma on it.

The goddess Saraswati is portrayed on a white-colored lotus. The lotus is the symbol of what is divine or immortality in humanity, and is also a symbol of divine perfection. The lotus is the attribute of sun and fire gods. It symbolizes the realization of inner potential and in Tantric and Yogic traditions the lotus symbolizes the potential of an individual to harness the flow of energy moving through the chakras often depicted as wheel like lotuses flowering as the thousand -petaled lotus of enlightenment at the top of the skull.

Often used as an example of divine beauty, Vishnu is often described as the "Lotus-Eyed One". Its unfolding petals suggest the expansion of the soul. The growth of its pure beauty from the mud of its origin holds a benign spiritual promise. In Hindu iconography , other deities, like Ganga and Ganesha are often depicted with lotus flowers as their seats. The lotus plant is cited extensively within Puranic and Vedic literature, for example:. One who performs his duty without attachment, surrendering the results unto the Supreme Lord, is unaffected by sinful action, as the lotus is untouched by water.

In Chinese culture , Confucian scholar Zhou Dunyi wrote:. The lotus is also representative of Macau , and its flag features said flower. Many deities of Asian religions are depicted as seated on a lotus flower. In Buddhist symbolism , the lotus represents purity of the body, speech and mind , as if floating above the murky waters of material attachment and physical desire.

According to legend [ citation needed ] , Gautama Buddha was born with the ability to walk with lotus flowers blooming everywhere he stepped. In Tibet, Padmasambhava, the Lotus-Born, is considered the Second Buddha, having brought Buddhism to that country by conquering or converting local deities. The founders tirthankaras of Jainism are potrayed to be seated or standing on lotus blossoms. The lotus is mentioned in the Bible is Job The Bible information on the lotus plant is: In Christianity, the St.

Thomas Cross features a lotus being at the base of the cross. In the classical written and oral literature of many Asian cultures the lotus is present in figurative form, representing elegance, beauty, perfection, purity and grace, being often used in poems and songs as an allegory for ideal feminine attributes. The lotus flower is also the state flower of several Indian states, including Karnataka , Haryana , and Andhra Pradesh.

Lotus fruit at Mendut monastery , Indonesia.

Lotus bud at Mendut monastery , Indonesia. Lotus flower at Mendut monastery , Indonesia.

Miniature Lotus flowers Daisho-in , Miyajima , Japan. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. For other uses, see Lotus Flower disambiguation. This section needs more medical references for verification or relies too heavily on primary sources. In Southeast Asia, lotus flowers bloom year round.

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Where the Lotus Blooms is a tragic story that revolves around a cursed, rebellious, young American woman, Cynthia Jacobs, who was sent off by her mother to live with her aunt in Cambodia. Far from being in the same family, Nymphaea and Nelumbo are members of different orders Nymphaeales and Proteales , respectively. They started at once, and went about among the Lotus-eaters, who did them no hurt, but gave them to eat of the lotus, which was so delicious that those who ate of it left off caring about home, and did not even want to go back and say what had happened to them, but were for staying and munching lotus with the Lotus-eaters without thinking further of their return; nevertheless, though they wept bitterly I forced them back to the ships and made them fast under the benches. Rice is then harvested in October. The petals, leaves and rhizome can also all be eaten raw, but there is a risk of parasite transmission e. Figuratively, 'lotus-eater' denotes "a person who spends their time indulging in pleasure and luxury rather than dealing with practical concerns".

There are very few flowers whose blooming is for a period as long as that of lotus flowers. They are also very adaptive to local environments. They are not afraid of the scorching sun and bloom in hot summer when there are very few other flowers blooming. They are resistant to cold temperatures.

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Even in the freezing winter, they can survive under frozen ice as long as their roots are kept in water or mud at 5 degrees Celsius. Lotus flowers are not sensitive to soil though mildly acidic, organic clay loams are ideal for them. They can survive and flourish in different types of soil across the country. In the Nansha Wetland near the estuary of the Pearl River in Guangzhou, a large area of lotus flowers flourish in highly alkaline water beside a forest of mangroves which grow only in sea water.

In a test conducted in Honghu Park in Shenzhen, lotus flowers were found to be resistant to pollution and have a water-purifying function. Lotus flowers love the sunshine and are not shade-tolerant. They are ideally planted in areas with direct sunlight. Studies have shown that lotus flowers can only bloom in households that can offer more than 6 hours of direct sunshine per day.

Lotus flowers prefer warmth. The terminal buds of lotus roots in pools begin to bud when the temperature rises to above 13 degrees Celsius in early April. In mid- and late May, the leaves grow above the water. In early and mid-June, blooming starts. In late June and mid-August, they reach full bloom. In early September, the last flowering period starts. In July and August, their fruit reaches maturity. In mid- and late August, the roots are mature.

In early and mid-October, their leaves turn yellow and wither, and the plant enters dormancy. The entire growth period is to days and needs an accumulated temperature of about 4, degrees Celsius. That is the ecological reason why lotus flowers can flourish everywhere.

Lotus flowers rely on their underground roots, however, and die in harsh environments. One good example is the catastrophic flood of in which all lotus flowers disappeared. Three years later, water receded to normal levels and in the shallow parts of the lake, the depth was suitable for lotus seeds to grow.

Before the flood, numerous seeds had scattered around in the lake and the plants began to grow young leaves in great density, just like artificial seeding. Just two years later, this natural development restored the original scene of abundant lotus flowers. Each part of the lotus flower is treasured. In wide wetlands, wild seas of lotus flowers extend for hundreds of kilometers and meet the horizon in the distance.

Apart from ornamental purposes, lotus flowers can be used to make food, beverages, medicines, packaging materials and raw materials for industrial purposes. The roots, rich in starch and other nutrients as well as vitamins, can be eaten raw or cooked. Soup made using the roots are a special delicacy in Hubei Province.

Tender roots and green lotus seeds are popular foods in the summer — fragrant, sweet, and crisp. Old roots can be made into powder or preserved slices, which are nutritious for women, children and old and frail people. Lotus seeds are indispensable at dinner in which the lotus flowers are the main course.