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The lotus tree was a plant in Greek mythology bearing a fruit that caused a pleasant drowsiness. This fruit was reported to be the only food of a people called the Lotus-Eaters. In Homers Odyssey those of Odysseus' men who joined the Lotus-Eaters in eating this fruit had no desire to leave their island but had to be dragged away against their will. In another story from Greek mythology, the nymph, Lotis, is turned into a lotus tree.
The lotus tree is thought to have been a type of jujube (perhaps Ziziphus lotus) or date.
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