killerplants.com | What's in a Name? | Archive Most Recent | Free Newsletter Signup

Killer Savings Offer:

Who were the lotus-eaters?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

August 30, 2002

National Geographic—>Click here NOVICA—>Click here.

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Suggested Reading—>Click here.

Assorted Killer Savings Garden Links—>Click here.

Killer Picks: Wollemi Pine, greatest living fossils—>Click here.

Organic Cotton Shopping Bag, Organic Cotton Bath Towel, Block-Printed Robe—>Click here.

Lotus Shirt, Thai Hill Tribe Tote, Men's Organic Cotton Guatemalan Shirt—>Click here.

"Nine days then I was swept along by the force of the hostile winds on the fishy sea, but on the tenth day we landed in the country of the Lotus-Eaters, who live on a flowering food, and there we set foot on the mainland....My men went on and presently met the Lotus-Eaters...they only gave them lotus to taste of...any who ate the honey-sweet fruit of lotus...wanted to stay...feeding on lotus, and forget the way home." (Homer's Odyssey, Book IX, 800 BCE, trans. Richmond Lattimore)

Conjecture has reigned as to the identity of the plant. Lotus was applied to the Egyptian waterlilies, Nymphaea lotus Linnaeus and Nymphaea caerulea Savigny; the sacred lotus of the Hindu religion, Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner; and the Mediterranean nettle tree, Celtis australis Linnaeus with its cherry-like fruits. Lotus Pond Art Print Bruno Baumann Buy Art Print at AllPosters.com

The Lotus-eaters or Lotophagi were mentioned in several ancient writings. Herodotus (The Histories, Book IV, 430 BCE) said they lived in a country with "A promontory jutting out into the sea." Ptolemy's Geography (Book IV, 145 CE?) gives the location of the land of the Lotus-eaters as along the Cinyphus River.

Plato (The Republic, 360 BCE, trans. Benjamin Jowett) used the concept "the young man returns into the country of the lotus-eaters" to build his argument for social order. "To eat the lotus" implied forgetfulness in both ancient Greece and Rome.

Raf Raf Beach, North Coast, Tunisia, North Africa, Africa

The land of the lotus-eaters is accepted as in Tunisia on the North African coastline, but conjecture has reigned as to the identity of the plant. Raf Raf Beach, North Coast, Tunisia, North Africa, Africa Photographic Print David Beatty Buy Photographic Print at AllPosters.com

The land of the lotus-eaters is accepted as in Tunisia on the North African coastline, but conjecture has reigned as to the identity of the plant. Lotus was applied to the Egyptian waterlilies, Nymphaea lotus Linnaeus and Nymphaea caerulea Savigny; the sacred lotus of the Hindu religion, Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner; and the Mediterranean nettle tree, Celtis australis Linnaeus with its cherry-like fruits. It is believed today that the lotus referred by the ancient writers was the wild jujube (Ziziphus lotus (L.) Lamarck), a thorny, African, subsistence shrub with sweet fruit used to make bread and wine.

Unlike the Egyptians, the Hindus, and the southern Europeans, the lotus-eaters left no ruins for archaeologists to uncover, no literature of gods and heroes, no art—only legends in other civilizations' writings.

The Institute of Ecology and Conservation Biology has a general information page with photographs about the jujubes, Ziziphus spp. To view the page, click on the link:

http://chemsrv0.pph.univie.ac.at/ska/ziplant.htm

Caroline Seawright has written an interesting article with photographs about the Egyptian blue lotus (Nymphaea caerulea). To view her article, click on the link:

http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/lotus.htm

The Salisbury University Arboretum has beautiful photographs of the sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) of the Hindu. To view the photographs, click on the link:

http://www.salisbury.edu/arboretum/Perennia/NeNu/NeNuHM.html

Botanischer Garten der Ruhr-Universität Bochum has a photograph of the nettle tree (Celtis australis) taken by Thomas Stützel. To view the photograph, click on the link:

http://www.boga.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/html/Celtis_australis_Foto.html

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Unique Professionally Designed Gardens

Springhill Nursery®

Spring Hill Nursery has unique gardens professionally designed by experts to take the guesswork out of gardening. Whether you are looking for a three season garden, foundation garden, or a garden to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, Spring Hill Nursery has created a step-by-step design just for you. Click here - $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!

National Geographic's Store has great gift ideas.

Larger Picture

Organic Cotton Shopping Bag

National Geographic®

Organic cotton is chemical and pesticide free, is less damaging agriculturally, and produces a strong and durable fiber. It is a smart ecological choice when looking for textiles, apparel, and accessories.

Our own 100% organic cotton bags feature reinforced seams and edging, and no leather or other animal products whatsoever. Using this casual tote when you shop can also save thousands of plastic and paper bags over the years. 15 1/2''W x 15''H x 3''D Click here.

Larger Picture

Organic Cotton Bath Towel

National Geographic®

Turning off the water while you brush your teeth, installing a low-flow showerhead, and simply taking shorter showers are all easy ways to make your bathroom a more environmentally conscious place. Choosing responsible-produced bath linens is another good step. These natural towels are extremely soft, on you and the environment. Made under fair labor conditions of organic cotton and organic dyes, their warm natural color complements most any decor. Click here.

Larger Picture

Hand Block-Printed Robe

National Geographic®

Indian textile artists hand carve the dozens of individual wooden blocks with which they print the batik–inspired pattern of our luxuriously soft 100% cotton robe. The vines that decorate the fabric are traditional Indian designs that traveled along trade routes to Indonesia.

The blocks are dipped in dye and then stamped on long sheets of cotton that are washed between each layer of dye. The repeated washing results in a robe that feels like a cherished favorite from the moment you put it on. 54'' long. One size fits most. Made in India. Click here.

Larger Picture

Lotus Shirt

National Geographic®

An artistic example of cultural tradition, this soft cotton shirt is graced with a print of an ancient Japanese Noh poem written in the centuries-old Conj dialect and is complemented by the image of a lotus flower. Noh poems traditionally communicate stories of love and often make their way into wedding ceremonies. Hand-printed on the shirt by talented artisans and drawing from the spirit of Zen, this poem is the ancient story of Takasago, a tree spirit of the forest, and represents love and natural harmony.

Made from certified organic cotton with a touch of Lycra, with a flattering boatneck and 3/4-length sleeves. Machine wash. Imported. Click here.

Larger Picture

Thai Hill Tribe Tote

National Geographic®

The hill tribes in Thailand have a rich textile tradition. Women cultivate cotton and hemp for fabric, and plants like indigo, bael fruit, and mangrove for the dyes.

This everyday tote bag in shades of blue is made in Thailand from a patchwork of both vintage and contemporary cotton and hemp textiles. The patterns of each handmade fabric will vary, making each bag truly one of a kind. A zip top reinforces the toggle-and-button closure. Fully lined, with inner zip pocket. Leather strap. Approximately 14 1/2''W x 12 1/2''H x 4 3/4''D. Click here.

Larger Picture

Men's Organic Cotton Guatemalan Shirt

National Geographic®

Spaniards introduced treadle looms to the Maya people, and the Maya expanded their ancient textile traditions to encompass this new technology. After half a millennium, treadle looms are still frequently used, as in this classic Latin American shirt.

The wrinkle-resistant, 100% organic cotton fabric is accented by traditional Guatemalan stripes. The cut originated in the Andean highlands and has become popular throughout Latin America and beyond. Machine wash. Handmade in Guatemala. Click here.

Wollemi Pine

National Geographic®

This survivor from the age of the dinosaurs is one of the greatest living fossils discovered in the 20th century. The Wollemi pine is one of the world's oldest and rarest tree species, belonging to a 200-million-year-old plant family thought to have been extinct for more than two million years.

Previously known only from fossil records, it was presumed extinct until a single tree was found in the Wollemi National Park, Australia, in 1994. Subsequent research discovered 100 adult trees that have survived in a single canyon in this wild and rugged area. Click here to view canyon, trees and fossil record.

You can assist in the conservation effort and enjoy the unique opportunity to ensure the continued survival of this rare species by giving the tree as a gift or growing your own. Suitable for indoor container gardening. Can also be used as a landscape tree in USDA hardiness zones 2 through 7, which includes New England, the Midatlantic states, and much of the Midwest.

Comes with a care manual with the full story about the discovery and fascinating history of the Wollemi pine. Tree will be approximately 8"H when shipped. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these plants will fund ongoing conservation research. Click here to get your Wollemi Pine and assist in the conservation effort.

National Geographic Magazine

National Geographic®

You are invited to roam the world in the pages of National Geographic magazine. Explore the diversity of our planet's lands and inhabitants in compelling stories covering topics such as animals, nature, science, technology, culture, history, travel, adventure, exploration, and geography. The monthly National Geographic magazine is your key benefit of membership.

Additional benefits include:

As many as five wall map supplements throughout the year in issues of the magazine
A personalized Membership Certificate
Special discounts on selected products
The opportunity to examine special Society products free in your home before deciding to purchase
The privilege of traveling the world with the Society's educational travel tour programs
The satisfaction of supporting important research, conservation, education, and exploration projects

Join the Society and bring the adventure of National Geographic into your home! Click here.