Vietnam's National Flower - The Lotus Plant

The Lotus plant is known for growing strictly from mud and continues to grow untouched by the dirt and muddy environment. The Lotus lifecycle has great significance in Buddhism and Hinduism, because it represents rebirth, purity, and strength.

What makes it even more interesting is that the plant is also waterproof due to its natural waxy coating that makes water gather into little spots and rolls right off the leaves and petals. Just another way the Lotus plant stands clean and pure despite its "dirty" environment. 

Lotus seeds can be extracted from the pods and be eaten raw.