Lotus

Lotus, any of several kinds of water lilies. The sacred lotus of India figures in paintings of Buddha. It grows in marshes from Egypt to China, its leaves and pink flowers growing on stalks that rise about 3 ft (1 m) from the water. Related to the Indian lotus is the American lotus or duck acorn. Both are edible. The Egyptian lotus is a water lily with floating leaves 2 ft (.6 m) across and large white flowers. In ancient times it was cultivated for its fruit.