Lotus

Lotus, common name for any of a genus of plants of the legume family, and for certain members of several unrelated genera. In Greek legend, the lotophagi (lotus-eaters), those who ate the fruit of the lotus tree, forgot their friends and homes and lost all desire to return to their native land. Because the legends, as they have been passed down to the present, are inexact, it is not certain what plant may have been referred to. Several species have been suggested: a jujube (Mediterranean Hackberry), a nettle tree, and a desert shrub—all of which are native to the Mediterranean region.

An unrelated genus of the water lily family provides the sacred lotus of Buddhism. A second species of the genus is the American lotus. The seeds and rhizomes of this aquatic genus are edible, and its leaves are held above the water on long stalks.

Members of the representative water lily genus, with floating leaves, are also called lotus. The Egyptian lotus and the Egyptian water lily were both represented in ancient Egyptian art.

The lotus genus contains about 100 species. These are herbs or subshrubs native to temperate regions. Several species are cultivated; some are used for forage.

Scientific classification: The genus Lotus belongs to the subfamily Papilionoideae, family Fabaceae (formerly Leguminosae). The jujube suggested to be the legendary lotus tree is classified as Ziziphus lotus of the family Rhamnaceae, the nettle tree as Celtis australis of the family Ulmaceae, and the desert shrub as Nitraria tridentata of the family Zygophyllaceae. The unrelated genus of the water lily family, Nymphaeaceae, is Nelumbo. The sacred lotus of Buddhism is classified as Nelumbo nucifera and the American lotus as Nelumbo lutea. The representative water lily genus is Nymphaea of the family Nymphaeaceae. The Egyptian lotus is classified as Nymphaea caerulea and the Egyptian water lily as Nymphaea lotus.