This was my first time seeing living lotus seed pods and they're huge (which makes sense since the lotus flowers are huge). Once the petals fall off the flower, you can see the where the seeds will develop on the bright green pod. As the seeds continue to transform, the pod and seeds darkens in color (eventually turning brown). For new lotus plants to sprout, nature wears down the hard outer coat of the seed so water can penetrate and "wake up" the seed. Sprouts form, roots root and the cycle begins again.