Lotus flowers belong to the genus Nelumbo and there are two species, one in North and Central America and one in Asia. They live in water and take root in, for example, lake bottoms, from which they send up long stems with leaves and large, colorful flowers to the surface.
The flower’s leaves are extremely water-repellent, which helps it stay healthy, as it prevents fungal infections, among other things.
The water-repellent ability comes from small elevations, so-called papillae.
The shape of the papillae makes it difficult for water droplets to remain, as the droplet cannot retain its shape.
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