Лотос

Sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is a botanical species distinct from water lilies (Nymphaea). The plant called blue lotus, Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea, is a water lily and is very distant from Nelumbo. Nelumbo leaves are fully circular, while those of Nymphaea have a single notch running from the edge to the center. The name lotus is also applied to various other plants and plant groups, including the unrelated genus Lotus. Nelumbo has only two living species: N. nucifera, from Asia, and N. lutea, from North America.

The sacred lotus is an aquatic perennial. Its native range runs from East Asia, north to the Amur region, through northern Indochina and central and northern India. Its roots grow in the soil of pond or river bottoms, while the leaves float on the water's surface or are held well above it. The leaf stalks can be up to 200 cm long, which lets the plant grow in water of that depth, and the rhizome can lengthen by as much as 20 m in one year. The showy flowers grow up to 35 cm (14 in) in diameter. The flowers can regulate their temperature. Heat production is restricted to the receptacle, stamens and petals, and each of these parts produces heat independently of the others. The leaves of Nelumbo are highly water-repellent, a property that gave its name to the lotus effect. It is the national flower of India. It holds deep cultural, spiritual and religious significance in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Ismailism and Chinese culture, symbolizing purity, enlightenment, spiritual awakening and divine beauty. The pericarp, the fruit tissue that encloses the single seeds, is considered one of the major factors that contribute to fruit longevity. The genome of the sacred lotus was sequenced in May 2013.

The flowers of Antique Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) contain 64 volatile components: 38 terpenoids, two benzenoids/phenylpropanoids and 24 fatty acid derivatives. The stamens contain the greatest number of volatile compounds, while the petals have the highest content. Fatty acid derivatives are the primary volatile substances in the petals, while the stamens and receptacles are dominated by benzenoids/phenylpropanoids. 1,4-Dimethoxybenzene, a highly volatile principal aromatic constituent of lotus stamens and receptacles, has a pronounced clove-like odor. Eucalyptol, the second most prevalent component, has a camphor-like aroma and a refreshing herbal flavor. γ-Terpinene has a citrus and lemon-like aroma. The primary aroma components of six Antique Lotus were eucalyptol, γ-terpinene, sabinene, terpinene-4-ol, limonene, α-terpinene and caryophyllene. Floral scent in general is a complex mixture of volatile compounds that fall mainly into three classes: terpenes, benzenoids/phenylpropanoids and fatty acid derivatives. Of the lotus constituents, 1,4-dimethoxybenzene is applied in making perfumes, fragrances and flavors across several industries. Eucalyptol is mainly put to work in pharmaceutical and culinary products. γ-Terpinene is mainly used to compose artificial lemon and peppermint essential oils.

Both pink and white lotus absolutes are soluble in fixed (carrier) oils and in 190-proof alcohol. The pink absolute is prone to cloudiness that precipitates out on standing.