Extreme longevity of lotus seeds from Pulantien

Abstract

In 1923 Ohga¹ first brought to general scientific attention the existence of a cache of viable seeds of East Indian lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.), contained within an ancient lakebed deposit at Pulantien in southern Manchuria. From the geological and historical evidence available, Ohga suggested a possible age in excess of 400 years^1,2. Libby³ radiocarbon dated some of Ohga's material at 1040±210 years BP. This evidence of great antiquity for viable seeds has been controversial^4–6. The main hindrance to the resolution of the problem has been the paucity of available Pulantien seeds following the dissipation of Ohga's original collection⁷. Recently we have received four Pulantien seeds, three of which were viable, albeit lacking in vigour. The lipids of the unimbibed seeds were examined and found to be still highly polyunsaturated, suggesting that they had undergone little atmospheric autoxidation. Radiocarbon dating of one of the viable seeds suggested a probable age of about 466 years at the time of germination. This is the oldest viable seed for which an age has been directly determined.