Lotus. Astrakhan region

The lotus is the trademark of the Astrakhan region. This beautiful flower, listed in the Red Book, attracts visitors from all over Russia.

The lotus flower can reach up to 25 centimeters in diameter, and its rhizome grows up to 150 centimeters long and spreads up to 3 meters. It grows in large thickets in bodies of water with silty soil at depths of up to 2 meters.

The lotus fruits—nuts that mature in conical capsules ("kubyshki") - are eaten by swans, geese, and ducks. Boars happily dig up and eat the rhizomes, while terns build their nests under the enormous leaves, using them as umbrellas.

There are several theories about how the lotus came to the Astrakhan region. One is mundane: migratory birds brought the lotus. Another suggests that the flower arrived via the Silk Road: huge caravans carrying goods from India, Persia, and other countries passed through Astrakhan, leaving behind traditions, culture, and bringing new animals and plants. What is certain is that the lotus is thousands of years old and is a relic from the Tertiary period.

Since ancient times, the lotus has been used as food and as a medicinal and cosmetic remedy. Consuming lotus roots strengthens the immune system and cleanses the body of toxins. In medicine, it is used as a hemostatic, diuretic, and tonic. The lotus has pronounced soothing and moisturizing properties: it smooths wrinkles and slows the aging process. Lotus oil relieves irritation and inflammation and helps to tighten pores.

Unfortunately, in the Astrakhan region, you can't taste the lotus. But you can enjoy its incredible fragrance and tenderness. Visitors come to admire it from late July to early September, when the endless fields are brightened up with the incredible colors of this amazing flower's petals.