Nelumbo nucifera is commonly known by the name Lotus, it is is the National flower of Japan and Vietnam. In the East it is a sacred plant and associated with purity, from mud these beautiful flowers bloom! It is believed that everywhere that Buddha walked, a lotus would grow. All bits of the plants are edible, use the leaves to wrap food in, pickle the roots or buy delicate lotus flower stamen tea! It is an aquatic perennial.