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Lotus flowers are the species among flowers that have managed to hold their position as one of the most popular flowers in the world. There is something precious about a lotus flower and it has special significance in religious occasions in various cultures.

Lotus flowers are aquatic plants that bloom in mud-filled ponds. They are part of the Nelumbo family and natives of southern Asia and Australia. India and Vietnam consider lotus as their national flower. Lotus festivals are held in Korea, China and Japan in celebration of the flower’s beauty. The lotus is specially used to worship the goddess in India.

But do you know there are various types of lotus? Yes. There are numerous types of lotus that can be differentiated on the basis of their petals, stem and leaves. Read on to know about some interesting varieties of lotus flowers.

Types of Lotus Flowers

· Sacred Lotus

This type of lotus flower is a native of southern and eastern parts of Asia. This plant grows in small ponds and shallow lakes. The flowers are held up to 6 inches (ca. 15 cm) above the water surface by their stalks. Blades of this plant mostly float on the water. The beautiful flowers have 15 pink tepals, a golden yellow upside-down shaped receptacle and a dense ring of golden yellow stamen.

Ancient Chinese and ayurvedic texts refer to the medicinal properties of the leaves, stem, seeds, roots and flowers of this plant. The stem and seeds of this flower are also used to make various dishes in India.

· American Lotus

This is another emergent aquatic plant. American lotus is found in wetland habitats throughout the U.S. This lotus has a unique ability to repel water. The roots, leaves and seeds of the American lotus are edible and its starchy rhizomes make a tasty treat. The flowers are mostly pale-yellow or white with more than 20 petals.

· Sunflower Lotus

Sunflower lotus is a deep red colored lotus. The petals are shaped like bowls and it has a large yellow-colored seed pod. Its flowering period is in early June.

· White Lotus

This type of lotus flower grows in various parts of East Africa and Southeast Asia. The plant grows to 45 cm in height and produces white flowers tinged with pink shades. White lotus flower is considered extremely significant in Hinduism and Buddhism. In India, the white lotus is associated with divinity and gods and goddesses. In Buddhism white lotus is seen as a symbol of spiritual awakening.

· Angel Wings

Angel wings is a miniature variety of lotus plant. The plant grows up to 30 to 50 cm in height with single pure white flowers. They are suitable to be planted in small to medium-sized ponds.

· Celestial Lotus

This variety of lotus plant is a native of India and China. The plant can grow up to 3 to four feet in height. The pink flowers are eight to ten inches in diameter, with 80 petals per bloom. It grows in muddy conditions. The lotus seeds and roots are used as a source of food in Asian culture.

· Cherry Lotus

This type of lotus flower blooms from late July to late August. The medium-sized flowers have roughly 14-18 petals measuring 20-23 cm in diameter. Petals of flowers are purplish-red when they first bloom, but in later stages, they turn pink. The leaf surface is coarse. The flowering season for this variety begins in late July and lasts till late August.

· Asiatic Lotus

The Asiatic lotus plant produces gorgeous looking flowers. The flowers are huge with a delicate fragrance. Fine, pure white flowers of this plant grow well in cold climates. This plants seeds can remain viable for at least two hundred years.

· Japanese Lotus

The Japanese lotus has pink shaded 16-20 petals in one flower. This type of lotus belongs to the land lotus family. It grows in relatively cold areas and is found all across Japan. The leaves are smooth and roughly two feet high. The flowering season falls between early August to late-August. Seeds of this type of lotus flower remain dormant in winter season and germinate when the conditions are favorable.

· Blue Star Lotus

This type of lotus flower is a native of the Nile and other parts of East Africa. The flowers have pale-bluish white to sky-blue or mauve petals. This type of lotus has several medicinal properties known to the Egyptians. This lotus has been used to produce perfumes for aromatherapy.

· Carolina Queen Lotus

Carolina Queen Lotus is a hybrid lotus with splendid 10-12-inch flowers with rich warm pink petals. The wide and flat petals have a blush of orange, which makes them more attractive. The plant has bright yellow receptacles and stamens.

· Empress Lotus

This type of lotus, as the name suggests, has flowers that look magnificent. The 6-10-inch pure white flowers have purple edges and streaks. Each flower has 18-24 petals per bloom and the plant grows up to 4-6 inches (ca. 15 cm).

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· Chawan Basu Lotus

As one of the most popular types of lotus flowers, this plant has unique cup-shaped flowers with delicate, white petals tipped with vivid-pink. The plant has yellow-green receptacles and golden-yellow anthers which give it a radiant look.

· Momo Botan Lotus

This type of lotus flower is a hybrid variation of Nelumbo nucifera. This type of lotus is a miniature plant that has 12-15 leaves and can reach a height of 2-4 feet (ca. 122 cm). The flowers are double flowers and can easily be mistaken for peonies. The 106-118 deep rosy-pink petals give the flowers a massive effect. Compared to other varieties of lotus, the flowers of this plant have a longer lifespan. This type of lotus plant is perfect for small container gardens.

· Dwarf Lotus

This fast-growing miniature lotus plant is versatile enough to be able to grow in a variety of hostile winter conditions. The three-inch white flowers have a faint resemblance to tulips. Its blooming season stretches from July to October.

· Green Maiden Lotus

This type of lotus plant grows easily and has flowers in delicate shades of creamy yellow and soft pink. The bright-yellow receptacles and handsome green foliage add to the radiance of this plant. This early blooming plant has dazzling semi-double flowers with subtle green undertones which glow in summer sunshine. The plant has a height of about 1 to 3 feet (ca. 91 cm) and flowers have 2 to 3 inches (ca. 8 cm) diameter.

· Parrot’s beak flower

This type of lotus flower is ornamental, as well as low maintenance and drought-resistant. The flowers resemble lobster-claw and bloom in bright yellow, orange and red colors. The blooming period is very short and occurs only in spring. This plant’s height varies between below 6 inches (ca. 15 cm) to 12 inches (ca. 30 cm). It is a vine with silvery foliage and 1-inch needle-like leaves arranged in whorls.

· Lotus of Lace Gem

This type of lotus plant produces double deep red flowered blooms that have 120 petals and measure 20 cm in diameter. The inner petals are delicate and some stamens resemble white fingernails. The flowering season starts in mid-July and ends in early-September. This plant has leaves and flower stems measuring 1 m in length. This lotus has been grown at Toshodaiji Temple and is also known as Shodaiji Hasu.

· Curious Lotus

Curious lotus plant is a double-flowered type of lotus. Its flowers are huge and holds anywhere between 300-6000 petals. This is the only type of lotus plant that does not have seeds and it reproduces through roots. The plant has petals on each receptacle and gives the impression of numerous flowers sprouting from one plant.

· Chinese Double Rose Lotus

This type of lotus flower has multiple pink petals and a sunny yellow center. The plant grows to a height of 2-3 feet (0.91 meters).

· Perry’s Giant Sunburst Lotus

This variety of lotus plant produces large, cupped, extremely fragrant double yellow flowers which are 10-12 inches (ca. 30 cm) in diameter. The plant reaches a maximum height of 4-6 feet (1.83 m).

· King Lotus

King Lotus produces flowers that are much bigger than normal varieties. This type of lotus flower measures 30-40 cm in diameter. The flowers change color from white to dark red or purplish-red during their short lifespan. The outside of the petals appear snow-white. The floating leaves are strong and the seeds of this type of lotus grow very fast.

Hope you enjoyed going through this list of the different types of lotus flowers.