This aquatic rhizomatous perennial forms a clump of upright stems with mid-green circular leaves that have wavy margins. It has solitary fragrant pink to white saucer-shaped flowers that appears during summer and are followed by a flat-topped pod.  

Hardiness zones 8 to 12

Nelumbo nucifera is naturally found throughout Asia, North America and northern Australia growing in tropical to warm temperate climates. The spreading scaly rhizome contains longitudinal air tubes and grows in watercourses or in ponds. 

It prefers a organic rich loam in a sunny protected position and is frost and drought tender.

The Sacred Lotus is an attractive flowering aquatic plant that is commonly grown in large ponds or along watercourses. It is also used in domestic water features as a submerged container plant. The spent pods are used in floral arrangements and in cold climates it is grown under glass as a specimen. It is fast growing and establishes in one season from division. ID 586

Note:
It is noted to have medicinal properties with the seeds used to help with heart problems and a jelly that is made from a rhizome to aid in diarrhoea and dysentery with the stamens from the flower used as an astringent. 

Nelumbo (ne-LUM-bō) nucifera (new-KI-fe-ra)

Nelumbonaceae (nel-UM-bon-AY-see-ee)
Sacred Lotus