Lotus
Lotus, commonly known as the sacred flower, is a revered medicinal plant in traditional healing systems like Ayurveda. Renowned for its purity, it possesses potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and sedative properties. From soothing the nervous system to promoting skin health, various parts of this exquisite bloom offer remarkable therapeutic benefits.
- Scientific name: Lotus
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically classified within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further categorized under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Lotus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Lotus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant is known by various names depending on the region and language. In Arabic, it is referred to as لوطس, while in Danish, it is called kælliingetand. In German-speaking areas, both standard German and Swiss German use the name Hornklee, and in Estonian, it is known as nõiahammas.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ar | لوطس | Wikidata |
| da | kællingetand | Wikidata |
| de | Hornklee | Wikidata |
| de-ch | Hornklee | Wikidata |
| et | nõiahammas | Wikidata |
| fi | maitteet | Wikidata |
| fr | lotier | Wikidata |
| he | לוטוס | Wikidata |
| hsb | ledźbjenc | Wikidata |
| ka | კურდღლისფრჩხილა | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical presence across various regions of Northern Europe. Within this part of the continent, it can be found growing in the country of Denmark. The distribution also extends to the northern territories of Finland and the islands of Føroyar. Additionally, the plant is documented to exist throughout Great Britain. Finally, its range reaches the remote and rugged landscape of Iceland.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Føroyar | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Iceland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known for its profound spiritual and medicinal significance, offers therapeutic benefits through many of its various structures. The whole plant is often utilized in traditional medicine, with different components serving unique purposes. For instance, the seeds are frequently dried and used to treat ailments related to the heart and nervous system, while the stems (specifically the rhizomes) are consumed for their cooling properties and nutritional value. The large, floating leaf is sometimes used in topical applications, and even the reproductive structures, such as the stamens, contribute to the plant's overall medicinal profile.- Total parts
- 19
- Scientific sources
- 25
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| stamens | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| whole plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seedpod | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seed embryo | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rhizome | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| receptacles | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| receptacle powder | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Lotus has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include PA, PAs.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| PA | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| PAs | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |