Komarov’s lotus. Khabarovsk region

Komarov's lotus (Nelumbo komarovii Grossh.) is a wild-growing, highly ornamental, medicinal, food and ritual plant. It is included in the Red Data Books of the Russian Federation, Khabarovsk, Primorye region, Jewish Autonomous and Amur regions.

There are two very close species in Russia: Caspian lotus in the European part and Komarov's lotus in the Far East. The Far Eastern lotus was described and singled out as an independent species by Alexander Grossheim in 1940. He named it in honor of Vladimir Leontievich Komarov, the greatest Russian botanist, researcher of the flora of the Far East and neighboring countries. As of now, one of the leading botanists of the region — Doctor of Biological Sciences Maria Kryukova — has been studying lotus in the Khabarovsk region for more than 30 years.

Lotus in the Khabarovsk region grows within the Middle Amur lowland in the south, in the basin of the lower reaches of the Amur River, including the valleys of its tributaries. It is also protected in the Sheremetevsky Nature Park, Podkovnoye and Tsvetochnoye lakes, and in the village of Lonchakovo, Bikinsky district.

The end of July — beginning of August in the Amur region is the time of blossoming of the most luxurious flower of the Far Eastern water bodies. Lotus is a valuable recreational and aesthetic resource that attracts tourists and residents of the region during the blooming period.

A characteristic feature of lotus in the Far East is its frost resistance. Ussuri winters are harsh and snowy. Despite this, the plant can winter well in muddy soil, tolerating both winter freezing and low temperatures.

Lotus as a representative of the oldest flowering plants has scientific value. It is a relict plant of the Gondwanan flora, which existed more than 100 million years ago in the Mesozoic era, the early Cretaceous period. The development of modern vegetation took place during a time of significant changes in topography and climate change. This created prerequisites for the formation of a unique vegetation complex on the territory of Priamurye, where a special place is occupied by relict plants: Komarov's lotus, Brasenia schreberi, Aldrovanda vesiculosa, Actinidia kolomikta, thermophilic forest ferns and others.

Interestingly, in 1932, lotus seeds were found in a 250-year-old peat layer in China. Botanists examined them and found them quite viable. After appropriate treatment, the seeds germinated. Lotus seeds found in a Manchurian peat bog also managed to germinate - they were over a thousand years old. In 1961 in Japan, a prehistoric human settlement was found at a depth of about 6 meters, and three lotus nuts were discovered there. They germinated in the Tokyo Botanical Garden and the lotus blossomed. The seeds had been in the ground for 5,000 years.

For many people in the Asian region, the lotus has become an integral part of the culture. Shrouded in legends, the flower was considered sacred and inviolable. It was worshipped and carefully guarded, attributing mystical power to it. This is reflected in drawings on the tombs of pharaohs, on the pages of ancient writings, in biblical legends. According to religious lore, Buddha sat on its flower.

However, the lotus was highly valued not only for its ornamental value, but also as a food product. The tubers and seeds are edible. The rootstock is eaten raw, resembling the taste of sweet potatoes and chestnuts, as well as boiled with rice and sugar, and dried, making flour of excellent quality. Nuts are also delicious: they are eaten raw, candied, boiled, fried on a roaster, seasoned with spices and served as a real delicacy.

In addition, in Tibetan and Chinese medicine, all parts of the lotus have medicinal value. They were used to prepare 350 kinds of medicines, mainly for the treatment of nervous and cardiovascular diseases.