American Lotus
Nelumbo lutea (Willdenow) Persoon
American Lotus: https://www.marylandbiodiversity.org/species/2327
Synonyms
Lotus Lily  Water Chinquapin 
Tags

Map Snapshot

71 Records

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Status

American Lotus occurs over much of the eastern and midwestern United States and also in California. Introduced and native populations have been expanding in the Chesapeake Bay possibly due to increased nutrients throughout the bay watershed. The nativity of these expanding populations is often blurred. Populations off of the Coastal Plain (Rocky Gap SP) and many singular pond (Lake Reddington) populations are considered non-native.

Description

American Lotus is a perennial, aquatic herb with very large, bowl-shaped leaves. These are usually held 1 foot or more above the water level, in a peltate (umbrella-like) manner. The flowers are solitary, huge (4-8 inches across), and pale yellow (in contrast to the Asian lotus, which has pinkish flowers). The fruits are embedded in pits in a receptacle that has a characteristic showerhead-like appearance.

Where To Find

The quiet waters of sluggish rivers and ponds are the habitat of American Lotus. A good place to look for it is at Mattawoman Creek Natural Area, in Charles County (a Maryland DNR site).

Resources

View at iNaturalist Search Google Images Search MBP Facebook posts
View at Maryland Plant Atlas Search Flora of North America Search Mid-Atlantic Herbaria Consortium Search Norton-Brown Herbarium Search MNPS Facebook posts

Citations

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Source: Wikipedia

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