A rare botanical phenomenon has captivated visitors at Guangzhou Panyu Lotus Hill Resort, where a twin-hearted lotus and a three-bud lotus have been discovered. Both specimens were bred in-house, with the twin lotus marking the first such discovery in the site's 40-year cultivation history.
The twin-hearted lotus, part of a new 2024 hybrid still under observation, features two delicate blooms sharing a single stem. Unlike typical giant water lilies—some spanning 30 cm in diameter—this smaller variety displays staggered petals and tightly clustered hearts, creating a striking visual contrast.
"What makes this breed unique is its color transformation," said Liu Jun, the park's lotus cultivation expert. "The flowers shift from white to pink and finally deep pink over three days, offering a dynamic viewing experience." The hybrid, developed through cross-breeding at the park's lotus and water lily garden, first bloomed this year.
Earlier this month, the same species produced a three-bud lotus, combining its color-changing trait with an ultra-rare trinity formation. Experts estimate the odds of such natural occurrences at less than 1 in 100,000.
Renowned for its lotus anomalies, Lotus Hill Resort holds a Guinness World Record for a seven-bud lotus found in 2021. The latest finds underscore advancements in the park's conservation efforts, which is now home to over 1,200 lotus and 600 water lily varieties.
Author | Feng Huiting
Photo | Nanfang Plus
Editor | Huang Qini, James, Shen He
