What is the difference between Lily and Lotus?

One of the main differences between a lily and lotus is by looking at the leaves. The leaves of a lily rest flat in the water, while the lotus leaves come above the water around four feet in water level. Lily flowers float in the water, while lotus flowers swim just above the water level. Scientifically, lilies belong to the aquatic group of flowering plants called the Nymphaeaceae family, white lotus, which is scientifically called nelumbo, belongs to the Nelumbonaceae family.

Another evident difference is the actual shape of the flower. Unlike the lily flower, the lotus has a barrel-shaped carpel that is implanted in an expanded vessel. The main element of a lotus is its androecial ring. Lotus plants generate rose or white flowers, while the lily boasts white and pink colors.

Lily flowers tend to have many more petals compared to lotuses. It is important to note that the lily flower is deadly to cats and dogs. Lily of the valley contains toxins that cause the heart to beat abnormally. In Buddhism, the lotus plant represents purification and the achievement of enlightenment. Lotuses are also edible, as different cultures consume them as food.

One of the ways to differentiate between a lily and a lotus is by comparing the position of the two plants on the water. By looking at the two plants from afar, you can still clearly differentiate between a lily and a lotus. This is because the leaves of the lily do not rise above the water level; they sit flat on the water. In contrast to this, the leaves of the lotus do not sit flat on the water; they rise above the water level. Due to the natural position of the lily on the water, its flowers always float on the water. The flowers of the lotus always rise above the water. When you notice these two aforementioned differences, differentiating between the two plants can't be a problem. Another difference is that both plants have different scientific names. Unlike the lily that belongs to the Nymphaeaceae family, lotus belongs to a different family called Nelumbonaceae.

The biggest difference between the lily and the lotus is how they look like. They may look similar in the beginning but the more that you look at them, the more that you will realize how different they are. The lily will come with leaves and flowers that will be floating above the water. Lotus, on the other hand, will have leaves and flowers that seem to come from below the water. There are instances when people would only see the lotus when they go closer to the water. Lilies will tend to grow better even when they are not cared for because lotuses would require more fertilizers. The lily will have a notch that the lotus will not have.

There are a lot of people who may get confused with water lilies and lotuses. When you check out lilies, you will notice that the flowers and the leaves are always going to be above water. The lotus, on the other hand, will have leaves and flowers that will be rising just above the water’s surface. Another thing that you have to know is that lotuses will need to have more fertilizer and nutrients so that they would grow well. The flowers and leaves of the water lily will have a waxy feel while the flowers and the leaves of the lotus will not have the same waxy feeling. Another thing to look for is that the water lily will have a notch while the lotus will not have this.

There are some aquatic plants that are more popular than others. Two of these aquatic plants are the lily and the lotus. One main difference between the two is that the flowers of the lily float on the surface of the water. For the lotus, you will notice that the flowers seem to come from beneath the surface of the water.

The way that the flowers look is also a bit different. They would come in a wide variety of colors that can make them enticing to look at, especially when there are so many that are available in one place. The texture of the flowers and leaves are also going to be different with lilies thicker than the lotus.