The lotus is a plant with centuries of history behind it. Considered by some religions to be akin to the divine it is also used in Asian written and spoken traditions as a representation of feminine virtues. The lotus flower only comes in varying shades of pink and has a distinctively shaped centre. Nearly the entire plant is edible, and the dried seed pods are often used as decorations. One of a few plants that has the ability to regulate its temperature it is also noteable for the longevity of its seeds. In one case a successful germination occurred from seeds that were 1300 years old. I took this photo in Balboa Park in San Diego, California.