NELUMBO nucifera - LOTUS - This stunning Lily who's leaves and flowers rise up to a metre out of the water is native to Northern Australia, New Guinea and tropical Asia. Fat rhizomes, seeds and young shoots are eaten by all cultures where it naturally occurs. Leaves are used as a food wrapper for steaming by the Chinese. We have .5ha under cultivation and sell rhizomes as food and the cone shaped fruits to the fresh and dried flower markets. It will grow in up to 3m of slow flowing or still water. Often grown in large pots as an ornamental.