Not pink or white, not even blue, which has taken a permanent place in our literature and myth; A yellow lotus has been found in Bangladesh. Preliminary observations suggest that it is a completely new species of lotus in the world. Yellow lotus will be a unique addition in botany if it passes the laboratory test. This lotus will also be named after us.
From the other side of the phone, Professor Dr. Chairman of the Department of Botany, University of Dhaka. When Rakhri Sarkar was talking about the new species of naturally growing lotus, the emotion and warmth of his voice could be felt from the other side of the phone.
In a few days, their research team is going to the abode of yellow lotus in Dakshinagram beel of Burichang upazila of Comilla. He also invited me to observe the yellow lotus.
The lotus flower grows more or less all over the world. According to the characteristics, the lotus is divided into two species, such as Asian or Indian lotus. Its scientific name is Nelumbo nucifera. The other is American or Yellow Lotus. The scientific name of Yellow Lotus is Nelumbo Lutea.
Asian lotus is again seen in two colors - smooth white and light pink. The lotus flowers found in lakes and ponds in our country are Asian or Indian Lotus. Not only in Bangladesh, from the Caspian Sea to Northern Australia, China, Japan, Korea, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, etc., this species of lotus grows. This is a perennial aquatic plant. Round leaves average about 45 cm wide. Flowers bloom on long stalks with narrow thorns. The flowers have a sweet smell. Leaves and flowers float on the water. Four to five feet of water is ideal for lotus. Its roots are spread in the mud under the water.
Rakhhari Sarkar said, this new lotus is different from the Asian lotus that is blooming in our lake. So did the American Lotus somehow come to this bill in the South Village and breed? His comment - not even that. The color and characteristics of the American lotus are different from the characteristics of the lotus in the southern village beel. Its color is light and the number of petals is much higher. Whatever it is, when you go, you will understand how enviable Padma is blossoming in the southern village bill, how much more than different caste brothers.
Two members of the research team, Padma researcher Sikder Ake Shamsuddin and Barisal University lecturer Shaon Mitra left a day earlier. I go the next day, September 2. I had to take a bus from Dhaka to Comilla and get on the scooter to Burichang from the side of the central Eidgah Maidan. Within half an hour I reached my destination - South Village Bazaar. It was 11 o'clock in the morning. Padma researcher Sikder AK Shamsuddin and associate Shaon Mitra have already visited the bill once. He said, I will go again in the afternoon, then you will also go.
The Rakhri government said they could find out about the yellow lotus in September last year. Upon receiving the news, executive director of Bengal Plant Research and Development, Padma researcher Sikder AK Shamsuddin spoke. It was decided that the Department of Botany of Dhaka University and the Bengal Plant Research and Development would jointly search for the yellow lotus. That's when the work started. Last year, Harvard University's Department of Plant and Animal Species Nomination in the United States and the world's largest herbarium museum in Q Garden, England, sent some data, including photographs. They are also interested in the subject. So this year I want to do the necessary research work including sheeting the herbarium of yellow lotus. The local administration including the locals are cooperating with them in this study. After a while it was understood. We have arranged to stay at the house of Nasir Uddin of 'Dakshin Gram Samaj Kalyan Sangathan'. He didn't just leave the two rooms of the house, he came one after the other to find out if anything was needed. And there was tea and breakfast. Around 4 pm we went to the bill.
Not exactly yellow, yellowish. It can also be called off-white. However, white is never. Incredibly beautiful. It is as if a bouquet of innumerable petals pierces a green leaf and stands with its head held high. The pink lotus next to the full blooming yellow lotus looked a little sick. Although the length of the petals is larger than the pink lotus.
While doing Reiki in the morning by boat, some kali that will explode the next day were tagged. Bamboo with red flag was buried for understanding from a distance. In doing all this, Sikdar Shamsuddin was showing the difference between yellow lotus and other lotus.
Asian or American lotus has 12 to 16 petals in one flower, while this yellow lotus of Burichang has more than 60 petals. The inner petals are attached to the stamens. The number of stamens in this flower is also much higher, about three hundred. According to the researchers, it is within two hundred in the Asian lotus. As the petals are small and large, the buds of yellow lotus are a little short and the abdomen is thick.
In the name of the evening in words. We also came back to shore. The next morning at 5 o'clock I went down to the bill again. Arrive at the tagged collies. It is getting dark and the flowers are laughing a little. We see flowers blooming from the buds of the lotus. Within three hours the light shone all around. At the same time, all the yellowish lotus lotuses of the bill matched themselves.
The lifespan of Padma is four days. Researchers will observe the flowers for four days. Collect yellow lotus leaves, stalks, flowers, fruits, roots etc. Make herbarium sheets. Do DNA test from the sample. 'If the uniqueness is proved, this lotus will be ours' - Sikdar Shamsuddin's face shone with joy. What is different from others with the naked eye is unique in its research. Come back from the yellow lotus bill with this belief.