Magnifique.. Lotus flowers

Aah Vietnam.. you're beaut! 

Lotus Flowers  are Vietnam's National Flower

 The roots of Nelumbo nucifera are planted in the soil of the pond or river bottom, while the leaves float on top of the water surface. The flowers are usually found on thick stems rising several centimeters above the water. The plant normally grows up to a height of about 150 cm and a horizontal spread of up to 3 meters, but some unverified reports place the height as high as over 5 meters. The leaves may be as large as 60 cm in diameter, while the showy flowers can be up to 20 cm in diameter.

 To the Vietnamese, the lotus is the symbol of purity, commitment and optimism for the future. The elegance of the lotus is often cited in the Vietnamese folk songs and poems.

 The people of Vietnam regard the Lotus as one of the four graceful flowers and plants, along with the pine, bamboo, and chrysanthemum.  

 Known as the ‘flower of the dawn’, the Lotus is found throughout the country at lakes and ponds.

 Researchers report that the lotus has the remarkable ability to regulate the temperature of its flowers to within a narrow range just as humans and other warmblooded animals do

The distinctive dried seed heads, which resemble the spouts of watering cans, are widely sold throughout the world for decorative purposes and for dried flower arranging.

The flowers, seeds, young leaves, and "roots" (rhizomes) are all edible. In Asia, the petals are sometimes used for garnish, while the large leaves are used as a wrap for food, not frequently eaten (for example, as a wrapper for zongzi). In Korea, the leaves and petals are used as a tisane. Yeonkkotcha (연꽃차) is made with dried petals of white lotus and yeonipcha (연잎차) is made with the leaves. Young lotus stems are used as a salad ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine. Petals, leaves, and rhizome can also all be eaten raw, but there is a risk of parasite transmission (e.g., Fasciolopsis buski): it is therefore recommended that they be cooked before eating.

Lotus root, cooked, no salt

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy	278 kJ (66 kcal)
Carbohydrates	16.02 g
- Sugars	0.5 g
- Dietary fiber	3.1 g
Fat	0.07 g
Protein	1.58 g
Water	81.42 g
Thiamine (vit. B1)	0.127 mg (11%)
Riboflavin (vit. B2)	0.01 mg (1%)
Niacin (vit. B3)	0.3 mg (2%)
Pantothenic acid (B5)	0.302 mg (6%)
Vitamin B6	0.218 mg (17%)
Folate (vit. B9)	8 μg (2%)
Choline	25.4 mg (5%)
Vitamin C	27.4 mg (33%)
Calcium	26 mg (3%)
Iron	0.9 mg (7%)
Magnesium	22 mg (6%)
Manganese	0.22 mg (10%)
Phosphorus	78 mg (11%)
Potassium	363 mg (8%)
Sodium	45 mg (3%)
Zinc	0.33 mg (3%)

So, not only is it an amazing looking beautiful flower, it is also filled with goodness! 

Pictures all Pinterest