The East Indian lotus (scientific name: Nelumbo nucifera) occurs in virtually all of Southeast Asia
It has a long history (c. 3,000 years) of being cultivated for its edible seeds
It is the national flower of India and Vietnam
The lotus root (typically sunk into the mud of a pond or river bottom) is the edible rhizome of the lotus plant
Eggplant
The eggplant (also known as an aubergine in the UK and Ireland or a brinjal in South Asia and South Africa) is a plant species in the nightshade family Solanaceae
Its spongy, absorbent fruit is used in several cuisines
As a member of the genus Solanum, it is related to tomato and potato