The Blue Lotus

A Blue Lotus photographed in Arankelle

The Blue Lotus, also known as the Red and Blue water lily, Blue star water lily and Star Lotus is native  to the Indian subcontinent. It has now spread to many countries and is valued as a garden flower. More images and info after the jump.

 
A Blue Lotus photographed in Kandy

The Nymphea nouchali is a non-viviparous plant that has submerged roots and stems. Part of the leaves are also submerged while others rise slightly above the surface. The leaves themselves are round and green in colour. The leaves usually have a darker underside.

The flower of the water lily comes in a variety of colours, ranging from violet blue to white, purple, mauve and fuchsia. The flower has 4-5 sepals and and 13-15 petals which make the flower look like a star when you look at it from above.

A Bunch of Blue Lotuses photographed in Anuradhapura

The Blue Lotus is the national flower of Sri Lanka and is referred to as Nil Manel. The flower has been mentioned in Sanskrit, Pali and Sinhalese literary works since ancient times as a symbol of virtue, discipline and purity.    

Blue Lotuses photographed in Kandy

The lotus is considered a medicinal plant in Ayurvedic medicine and is used to treat indigestion. Recent experiments are supposed to have confirmed that the plant has medicinal properties as an anti-hepatotoxic and an anti-diabetic. It's tubers can be used as food items and they are usually boiled or roasted before consumption. 

A Blue Lotus photographed in Kandy

These shots were taken with the Canon 7D and the 400D. I think I used the 50mm f1.8 lens to capture these shots.