Answer:
The stomata on the lotus leaf play a crucial role in the plant's survival. The lotus is an aquatic plant that grows in water, and its leaves float on the surface of the water. The stomata on the lotus leaf are located on the upper surface, rather than the lower surface like other dicotyledonous leaves, because the lower surface is in direct contact with the water, which interferes with gas exchange.
The stomata are small pores that allow gases like oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor to move in and out of the leaf. In the lotus leaf, the stomata serve as air inlets to carry oxygen from the atmosphere to the interior of the leaf for respiration, and also to release carbon dioxide generated through photosynthesis. Additionally, they play a critical role in regulating the internal aeration of the sacred lotus.
The lotus leaf has a complex system of gas canals that channel pressurized air from its leaves, down through its petioles and other structures to provide oxygen to the roots and other submerged parts of the plant. The central plate stomata (CPS) lie over a gas canal junction, which connects with two-thirds of the gas canals within the leaf blade, and facilitate the transfer of gases between them. Therefore, the stomata present in the lotus leaf help the plant to thrive in its unique aquatic environment and aid in its efficient gas exchange and aeration system.