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Media
Safety Concerns
Name
Edible
Scientific Name
Nelumbo lutea
Family
Nelumbonaceae (lotuses)
Description
American lotus is an aquatic plant that can cover large areas. Flowers are held singly above water on long stalks, with 20 or more sepals and petals, light yellow, to 8 inches across, with a central elevated receptacle resembling a showerhead. Blooms June–September. Leaves are blue-green, shed water, normally held above water level on long stems (young leaves float), circular, extremely variable in size, to 2 feet wide, with the stem attached in the center. The receptacle, to 5 inches wide, starts out soft and yellow and becomes brown and woody as the seeds ripen. Seeds are acornlike, anchored in deep pits.
Similar species: Water lilies (Nymphaea spp.) have white, pink, or violet flowers that lack the round disk at the center, and their leaves have a V-shaped notch.
Size
Leaf width: to 2 feet.
Where To Find
Scattered statewide.
Habitat and Conservation
Occurs in oxbow lakes, sloughs, and ponds, preferring still waters with a mud bottom. Although American lotus regularly produces seeds, it spreads mainly through its thick rhizomes that grow along the pond bottom. Despite its ornamental qualities, American lotus should not be introduced into most fishing ponds. Lotus spreads rapidly in shallow water and can soon completely cover a pond.
Status
A valued native wildflower that is sometimes planted as an ornamental in aquatic gardening but can also become a nuisance aquatic plant.
Control
Human Connections
American lotus was an important food source for Native Americans, who dug up the starchy roots with their feet. Young shoots were eaten as greens; the unripe seeds taste like chestnuts and when ripe can be hulled and roasted.
Ecosystem Connections
Waterfowl eat the seeds, and large colonies are important nurseries for fish and other aquatic life as well as shelter for ducks.
Title
Media Gallery
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Caption
Despite its ornamental qualities, American lotus should not be introduced into most fishing ponds.
Credit
Frank Nelson
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Caption
The central elevated receptacle of American lotus resembles a showerhead.
Credit
Frank Nelson
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Caption
The leaves of American lotus are blue green, circular, without a V-shaped notch, extremely variable in size, to 2 feet wide, and can shed water.
Credit
Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
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Image
Caption
American lotus is a valued native wildflower that is sometimes planted as an ornamental in aquatic gardening but can also become a nuisance aquatic plant.
Credit
Noppadol Paothong
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Caption
American lotus spreads rapidly in shallow water and can soon completely cover a pond, requiring control efforts.
Credit
Paul Cieslewicz
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Image
Caption
The blue-green leaves of American lotus shed water. They are normally held above water level on long stems.
Credit
Frank Nelson
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About Wildflowers, Grasses and Other Nonwoody Plants in Missouri
A very simple way of thinking about the green world is to divide the vascular plants into two groups: woody and nonwoody (or herbaceous). But this is an artificial division; many plant families include some species that are woody and some that are not. The diversity of nonwoody vascular plants is staggering! Think of all the ferns, grasses, sedges, lilies, peas, sunflowers, nightshades, milkweeds, mustards, mints, and mallows — weeds and wildflowers — and many more!