Another name for Lingjian lotus
Lingjian lotus, also known as lotus Lingjian, red peacock, lotus Lingjian, peacock cactus, etc., is a perennial evergreen epiphytic plant of Lingjian lotus in cactus family. It is named Lingjian lotus because its stem is flat and lanceolate, its shape is like Lingjian, and its flower is like water lily
Morphological characteristics of Lingjian lotus
Lingjian lotus is an epiphytic cactus plant, with upright stems, many branches, group shrubs, and a height of about 50 ~ 100 cm. The trunk at the base of the plant is fine and round, and the branches are flat, sagittate and green. The edge of the stem is blunt toothed. The concave part of the tooth has a thorn seat, with fine spines 0.3 ~ 0.5 cm long. The midvein of the flat stem is obviously prominent. The flower is expelled from the thorn seats on both sides of the stem node. The flower tube is slender and trumpet shaped. It blooms during the day. One flower only blooms for 1 ~ 2 days. The flower colors include purplish red, bright red, pink, magenta, yellow, white, blue and purple. It blooms during the day in summer, and the flowering period is may ~ July. The fruit is oval, red berry and black seed. There are two species in this genus. The other kind of small flower, Lingjian lotus, has small flowers, dense flowers and big red
Life habits of Lingjian lotus
Lingjian lotus likes a warm and humid environment. It avoids direct sunlight. It is resistant to drought, semi shade and rain. It requires fertile, loose and well drained neutral or slightly acidic sandy loam. The optimum temperature of growth period is 20-25 ℃, the optimum temperature of flower bud differentiation is 10-15 ℃, the temperature in winter cannot be lower than 5 ℃, and the flowering period is April
Legend of Lingjian lotus flower
The flower language of Lingjian lotus is memory. Lingjian lotus is very popular and loved by people because of its beautiful posture, bright colors, tenacious vitality and charming aroma. Especially in midsummer, peacock cactus flowers bloom brightly. It is a good decoration in front of the window, the hall and the balcony
It is said that in the tribal life of a long time ago, there were two Dai tribes living in Xishuangbanna. They fought for years because of disputes over territory and rights. There were many casualties among the people of both tribes. At this time, one of the sons and daughters of the chiefs of the two tribes was in love with each other
The scuffle continued. One day, the patriarch of one tribe asked his son to take the patriarch's arrow to summon his people and prepare to attack each other the next morning. The leader's son opposed the war, so he took the arrow to see the daughter of another tribal leader, his lover. They met in the dense forest to discuss how to quell the war. However, they couldn't think of a good way at dawn. When they were helpless, they had to hold the lotus flower symbolizing beautiful peace with each other and kill themselves together. After knowing this, the patriarchs of both sides deeply regretted their unwise behavior. So they burned incense and swore to each other, and the two sides were reconciled as before
Soon after, on the graves where the two young people were buried together, clusters of green plants very much like arrows grew, and on them were beautiful flowers like lotus. This is what people see now: Peacock cactus and arrow lotus
Use value of Lingjian lotus
1. Ornamental value. Lingjian lotus has a wide variety of flowers and colors. It is deeply loved by people for its delicate and light posture, gorgeous color and quiet and gloomy aroma. Potted plants are mainly used for viewing, and varieties are often used in the greenhouse to improve the viewing effect. It is used to decorate the window front, balcony and porch of the living room and study. It is an excellent indoor potted flower with good color, posture and aroma
2. Medicinal value. The stem of Lingjian Lotus can be used as medicine and has the effect of promoting blood circulation and relieving pain