Sacred lotus ovule
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The Sacred lotus is a thermogenic plant species. This means its floral parts can actually heat to 32-36°C for 2-4 days. This image shows the female stigma (top) and adjoining ovule of its heating tissue. A large cord of vascular bundles (which transport food and water) can be seen at the base of the ovule. The surrounding spongy tissue is also packed with vascular bundles indicating that there is a large need for fuel/substrate to produce this heat. Our group in investigating whether carbohydrates or lipids are used to fuel the thermogenesis.