Kerstin Hinze / Indian Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) in flower. Endemic to India, south-east Asia and northern Australia. Germany, September.

Kerstin Hinze / Indian Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) in flower. Endemic to India, south-east Asia and northern Australia. Germany, September.

Ernie Janes / Lotus flower farmer harvesting Lotus flowers (Nelumbo nucifera), Thailand 2009

Ernie Janes / Lotus flower farmer carrying Lotus flowers (Nelumbo nucifera), Thailand 2009

Tim Fitzharris / Sacred Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) flower, native to Asia

Tim Fitzharris / Sacred Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) flower, native to Asia

GEORGETTE DOUWMA / Sacred Lotus / red lily (Nelumbo nucifera) flower, Bali, Indonesia

GEORGETTE DOUWMA / Sacred Lotus / red lily (Nelumbo nucifera) flower, Bali, Indonesia

Thomas Marent / Sacred Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) flower, Kakadu National Park, Australia

Larry Michael / Red water lily {Nelumbo nucifera} buds opening to flower, USA

Kerstin Hinze / Fruit / seed pod of Red Lilly / Egyptian Lotus / Sacred Waterlily (Nelumbo nucifera), Germany

Willem Kolvoort / Man harvesting Red lily lotus flowers (Nelumbo nucifera) Lotus Nursery, North Suriname . 2003.

Willem Kolvoort / Red lily flowering (Nelumbo nucifera) Lotus nursery in North Suriname . 2003.

Willem Kolvoort / Man harvesting Red lily lotus flowers (Nelumbo nucifera) Lotus Nursery, North Suriname . 2003.

Hanne Jens Eriksen / Red water lilies in flower {Nelumbo nucifera} Kakadu NP, Northern Territory, Australia.

Gerry Ellis / Sacred Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) in bloom on billabong during wet season, Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia

Tim Fitzharris / Sacred Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) flower, native to Asia

Nature Production / Sacred lotus flower {Nelumbo nucifera} Saitama, Japan