AGRIHORTICO - Lotus and Water Lily: Aquatic Plants for Foods and Flowers

Aquatic Plants for Foods and Flowers

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W ater gardening or gardening of ornamental plants in water bodies like ponds and lakes is also called aquatic gardening. A garden pond with aquatic ornamental plants is an important feature of a beautiful landscape. Two most popular aquatic ornamental plants grown in garden ponds are lotus and water lily.

Figure 1: Water Gardening

Both lotus and water lily prefer shallow ponds with a depth not more than half a meter for their vegetative growth and flower production. Water lily is a hardy tropical water garden plant which can thrive well even under submerged conditions, i.e. under the water; therefore water lilies are called as submerged aquatic plants.

Lotus is a marginal water garden plant. Marginal aquatic plants like lotus live with their roots deeply fixed in the mud of the ponds while its leaves and flowers rise above the water surface. Some aquatic plants such as water hyacinth float on the water surface.

These plants are called floating aquatic plants. Some gardeners use only plants for water gardening while others use many water features such as garden fountains and artificial lights. Water gardening is possible with both flora (plants) and fauna (fish, frogs and turtles).

Figure 2: A Garden Pond with Water Plants

How to Create a Water Garden? You can create a small water garden in any containers of your choice. These container water gardens are more suitable for indoors than the outdoors. Container water gardening is very easy as compared to the outdoor water gardening. But these indoor water gardens do not last long. Building a long- lasting and durable water garden takes time and expertise. It also involves considerable investments. Four major factors to be considered while planning an outdoor water garden are as given below:

Site Selection: The most important factor of a water garden is its location or site. The water garden that is meant for aesthetic purposes should be displayed as the focal point of the landscape.

Figure 3: A Water Garden in the Front Yard of the House

Design and Construction of the Pond: While planning for an aquatic garden, the first thing to be considered is its design. The pond design should be complimentary to the entire landscape design. The pond should be designed in such a way that it should become an important garden feature and also one of the most attractive landscape features. Construction of the pond should be according to the design prepared by an expert landscape architect.

Figure 4: A Garden Pond with a Water Fountain

Planting Materials: The most popular water garden plants are lotuses and water lilies. Rhizome cuttings or divisions of the old plants may be used as planting materials.

Size of the Pond: As mentioned earlier, the size, particularly depth of the pond should be finalized depending upon the type of the planting materials used. Both water lilies and lotuses are very sensitive to the depth of the water body. These plants prefer shallow water bodies for their growth and flower production.

Apart from the above-mentioned factors, other factors such as garden sculptures, water fountains, the important flora and fauna to be included in the water garden and all other related factors must also be considered well before commencing the creation of an outdoor water garden.

L otus is a popular herbaceous, perennial, aquatic ornamental plant which is grown throughout the world for different purposes such as for flowers, foods, medicines and also for religious purposes. Lotus plant is tropical and subtropical in growth habit. Lotus flower is highly regarded in many ancient religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. In these religions, lotus is considered as a symbol of purity, good luck, harmony, spiritual awakening, soul expansion, detachment, long life, and honour.

Figure 5: Lotus Flower

Taxonomy: Scientific name of lotus is Nelumbo nucifera. Lotus belongs to the family Nelumbonaceae. Detailed taxonomic classification of lotus is given below:

Origin: Lotus is believed to be originated in the Indian subcontinent where lotus is considered as a sacred flower. Lotus is also the national flower of India.

Importance and Significance: Lotus flowers are highly regarded in many ancient Indian religions where a human soul is often compared to a lotus flower. While growing in muddy water, the lotus flower rises above its muddy environment to shine with beauty and elegance. Therefore lotus is also called as the sacred lotus. Lotus is also known as the Indian Lotus, Bean of India, and Egyptian bean. Lotus is the national flower of Vietnam also.

Today, lotus plant is widely grown and distributed throughout the world.

Important Uses: Lotus is a popular aquatic ornamental plant grown for its beautiful flowers. Lotus stems and rhizomes, buds and flowers, fruits and seeds, and roots are edible and therefore lotus plant has great economic significance also. In India and China, lotus plants are extensively cultivated for various food purposes.

L otus plants are perennial aquatic herbaceous plants with long-stalked leaves and creeping underwater rhizomes. Lotus plants are tropical and subtropical in growth habit. Lotus plants thrive well at an optimum day temperature of 23 to 27C. Lotus plants are not cold-hardy and therefore they are not suitable for growing in temperate climate. Lotus plants are dormant during winters.

Figure 6: Lotus Plants with Buds, Flowers and Fruits

Lotus leaves are large and round with a waxy coating which repels water drops from the leaves. Lotus leaves are filled with tiny air sacs which help them float on water surface.

Figure 7: Lotus Leaves with Water Drops

Flower Description: Lotus flowers are cup-shaped, sweetly fragrant, and very large with remarkably beautiful petals. Petals are spirally arranged around an immature fruit head or ovary in single whorl or multiple whorls. Number of petals varies with the cultivar. Flowers are available in a wide range of colours.