Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia
Nelumbo lutea Willd.
American lotus, Yellow water lotus, Yellow lotus
Nymphaeaceae (Water-Lily Family)
An aquatic plant with fragrant, pale yellow flowers and bowl-shaped leaves borne on stalks above the water.
This member of the Water Lily group is recognized by large, umbrella-like leaves and the inverted, cone-like structure in the middle of the flowers. It covers extensive areas along the Mississippi River from Ontario, Iowa, and Wisconsin southward.
Image Gallery:
18 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Herb Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit: Brown
Size Class: 3-6 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NE , NJ , NY , NC , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , WI
Canada: ON Native Distribution: Southern Ontario, Iowa, and Minnesota to southern New England and New York; south to Florida, Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola; west to Texas; south through Mexico to Honduras.
Native Habitat: Still water
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Aquatic: yes
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Any pond bottom or very large submerged pot.
Conditions Comments: Its saucer-shaped leaves are more than a foot in diameter and often rise out of the water. The lotus flowers are yellowish white with rich gold centers. They open in the morning and close by late afternoon and reopen the following day. Prepare to give aqautic plant lots of space to spread and reproduce.
Benefit
Use Food: The large tuberous roots, the size of a human arm were baked like sweet potatoes, the leaves were eaten like spinach and the seeds were prepared to be eaten like nuts or ground into flour.
The pods are quite striking and often used in flower arrangements. (Lamb/Rhynard)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Deer Resistant: Moderate
Last Update: 2013-06-15
