A water lily whose leaves, root and seeds are frequently used in Asian cooking. The huge lotus leaves have a diameter of from 11 to 15 inches. These leaves are used both as a flavoring and to wrap sweet and savory mixtures (rice, meat, fruit, etc.) for steaming. The underwater lotus root can be up to 4 feet long. it looks like a solid-link chain with 8-inch lengths, each about 3 inches in diameter. It has a reddish brown skin that must be peeled before using. They can be found fresh and dried in Asian markets.