Definition

Noun: * Nelumbo nucifera: A species of aquatic plant native to eastern Asia, widely cultivated for its large, showy pink or white flowers. It is commonly known as the sacred lotus, Indian lotus, or simply lotus. The plant is notable for its large, round leaves that float on or stand above the water surface and its edible seeds and rhizomes.

Usage

• is the scientific, botanical name for the plant.
• It is used in formal, academic, and horticultural contexts to precisely identify this specific species of lotus, distinguishing it from other plants with similar common names (like the Egyptian lotus, ).

Examples

• Noun:
  • The botanical garden has a dedicated pond for Nelumbo nucifera.
  • Researchers are studying the unique hydrophobic properties of the Nelumbo nucifera leaf.
  • Many Asian cultures revere Nelumbo nucifera as a symbol of purity and enlightenment.

Advanced Usage

• The term is almost exclusively used in its full binomial form (). The genus name is sometimes used alone in a more general sense to refer to the lotus genus.
• In taxonomy, the abbreviation "N. nucifera" is often used after the full name has been introduced in a text.

Variants and Related Words

• Lotus (n): The most common English name for . However, "lotus" can ambiguously refer to other plants, so is the precise term.
• Sacred lotus (n): A common name emphasizing the plant's cultural and religious significance.
• Indian lotus (n): A common name referencing a region where it is historically prominent.
• Nelumbo (n): The genus to which this plant belongs.
• Rhizome (n): The horizontal, edible underground stem of the .
• Seed pod (n): The distinctive, showerhead-like fruit structure of the .

Synonyms

• Sacred lotus
• Indian lotus
• Lotus (in its specific sense for this species)

Related Phrases and Terms

• Lotus flower: Refers specifically to the bloom of the .
• Lotus root: Refers to the edible rhizome of the .
• Lotus seed: Refers to the edible seed of the .
• Lotus position: A meditative sitting posture (Padmasana) named for its resemblance to the flower.

Noun

1. native to eastern Asia; widely cultivated for its large pink or white flowers