Lotus

Botanic Garden

Lotus

The sacred lotus, Nelumbo nucifera, originates from India, South East Asia and China. To the Buddhists the flower symbolises the perfect man, rising from the mud, reaching up to the light and there revealing a stainless purity and integrity. Throughout South East Asia young shoots, leaves, rhizome, flowers and seeds are eaten. In China many regional forms of the lotus have been cultivated and breeding between these has produced many hundreds of varieties. The Botanic Garden cultivates around fifteen of these varieties which are primarily displayed in the tropical lily pool, and flower throughout the summer.

  • Photographer: Nicholas Wray
  • Copyright: University of Bristol
  • This image is licensed for some educational use only. Users must abide by these terms and conditions.