But those who ate this honeyed plant, the Lotus,

The men who consumed the lotus plant were unwilling to proceed with the journey. Their sole interest became eating more of the lotus, which caused them to forget their homes.

Consuming the flower caused those individuals to lose the desire to return home to their families, even though they wished to do so. The flower compelled them to act against their own wishes, similar to the effects seen with alcohol or drugs. When people take such substances, they might behave in ways they normally wouldn't, needing to maintain control over themselves.