TheNaturePlanet

Today, let's talk about lotus and water lily. Are there many people who can't tell whether they are the same?

In fact, lotus and water lily have certain differences in botany.

From the perspective of plant taxonomy, lotus belongs to the genus Nelumbo in the family Nymphaeaceae, while water lily usually refers to plants of the genus Nymphaea in the family Nymphaeaceae. It's like they are different branches of the same big family.

There are also some differences in appearance. The leaves of lotus are generally above the water surface. They are large, round leaves with obvious veins. Moreover, the flowers of lotus are relatively large, mostly in pink, white, etc. The petals are relatively thick. When the flowers are in full bloom, they give people a grand and dignified feeling.

The leaves of water lily are mostly floating on the water surface. The shape is closer to a circle, but there is an obvious V-shaped notch on the surface of the leaves, which looks very distinctive. The flowers of water lily are relatively small, and the colors are more diverse, including purple, yellow, blue, etc. The petals are relatively slender, giving people a soft and delicate impression.

There are also slight differences in growing environments. Lotus prefers relatively stable waters, such as ponds and lakes. Its rhizomes grow firmly in the silt. Water lily is more adaptable. In addition to waters such as ponds, it can also be planted in some small water feature containers. Its requirements for water depth are relatively flexible😉.

In terms of cultural implications, both lotus and water lily have profound cultural connotations. In Chinese culture, lotus often symbolizes nobility and integrity. It has the reputation of "emerging from the mud without being stained, and being washed by clear waves without being seductive." It is often used by literati to express their noble moral character and spiritual pursuit. Many ancient poems praise lotus, such as "The lotus leaves reaching the sky are an endless expanse of green, and the lotus flowers against the sun are extraordinarily red," depicting the magnificent scenery when lotus is in full bloom. Water lily has an extremely important position in Buddhist culture and is regarded as a symbol of sacredness and purity. Patterns or sculptures of water lily can often be seen in temples🙏. In Buddhist stories, water lily is often accompanied by Buddha and Bodhisattvas, implying transcendence, purity and unobstructedness.

Now, do you have a clearer understanding of the differences between lotus and water lily? Next time when you see them, don't confuse them again.