Scanning electron microscope study of the flowers of Nelumbo nucifera

The lotus flower can regulate its own temperature. All parts of the flower are shown to contribute to the generation of heat. Lotus flowers contain two distinct cell types. One type of cell contains densely packed cytoplasm with numerous vacuoles and the other is packed with starch. In the petal base and receptacle, both cell types tend to be adjacent to the large airspaces. In the receptacle, these cells are also found near the epidermis.