Growth pattern, periodicity and seasonality in leaf production of sacred lotus

The sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Garten) leaves are used as a medicinal herb for well over 1,500 years. Leaves of sacred lotus are also having much nutritional value.They are also used as plates and packing materials. Study about leaf development and seasonality of leaf production will give the medical practitioners an overview about the availability of leaves in nature. Leaves are with peltate lamina and long petiole. Spined petioles are attached at the centre on the back side of leaf lamina. Lamina will takes 4–5 days to open fully. Leaf longevity ranged from 24 days in Chitoor and Nagarkovil to maximum of 28 days in Bramangalam. A highly irregular fluctuation in leaf lamina size development was observed in all accessions. Leaves are epistomatic with ranunculaceous stomata. Different weather parameters affected various growth parameters of leaf. Highest number of leaves was produced during rainy season and minimum during winter. Summer season experienced minimum longevity.