Lotus root, also known as "ou," is the underground stem of a perennial herbaceous plant from the family Nelumbonaceae. It has several other names, including lotus nodes, afternoon nodes, lake lotus, fruit lotus, vegetable lotus, water whip, and lotus vegetable (in Shaanxi and Shanxi provinces). Lotus root is mildly sweet and crispy, and it can be eaten raw or cooked. In China, the main varieties are seven-hole lotus root and nine-hole lotus root.