1. Aquatic perennial plant native to eastern Asia; widely cultivated for its large pink or white flowers
   "The sacred lotus is an important symbol in Buddhist art";
   - Indian lotus, sacred lotus, Nelumbo nucifera
    
2. Aquatic plant with white flowers native to Egypt and southeastern Africa, considered sacred in ancient Egyptian culture
   "Ancient Egyptian art often depicted the white lotus in religious scenes";
   - white lotus, Egyptian water lily, white lily, Nymphaea lotus

1. Annual or perennial herbs or subshrubs
   - genus Lotus

Derived forms: lotuses

Type of: rosid dicot genus, water lily

Part of: genus Nymphaea, Nymphaea, Papilionoideae, subfamily Papilionoideae

Encyclopedia: Lotus, Kentucky