Seroja, Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)

The flowers are usually found on thick stems rising several centimeters above the leaves. 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.

The lotus flower appeared in legends originating from ancient Egypt. It played an important part in ancient Egyptian religion. The pure white lotus flower, the only plant to fruit and flower simultaneously, emerges from the depths of the muddy swamp. The lotus flower has been featured extensively throughout the art of ancient Egypt. In various works of art. 

Seroja atau lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) adalah spesies tumbuhan air tahunan dari genus Nelumbo yang berasal dari India. Kita sering kali menyebut teratai (Nymphaea) walaupun sebenarnya keduanya tidak sama. Seroja memiliki tangkai bunga tegak dan bunganya tidak mengapung di permukaan air, sebagaimana pada teratai. Seroja pernah dikenal dengan nama binomial Nelumbium speciosum (Willd.) atau Nymphaea nelumbo.

A common misconception is referring to the lotus as a water lily (Nymphaea), an entirely different plant, as can be seen in the center of the flowers, which lack the structure that goes on to form the distinctive circular seed pod in the Nelumbo nucifera. 

An individual lotus can live for over a thousand years and has the rare ability to revive into activity after stasis. In 1994, a seed from a sacred lotus, dated at roughly 1,300 years old ± 270 years, was successfully germinated.