Planting and Growing the American Lotus Flower
American Lotus Description
Growing as long as 8 foot deep into the water and dirt below, the American lotus has single leaves that are 2 feet wide on a leaf stem. The leaves can be on top of the water surface or slightly above the water surface. Foliage is blue-green on top and a lighter green on the underside. Flowers are pale yellow, roughly 10 inches wide, and on a single stalk. Seeds are housed in a seed pod that is flat on top. Some varieties will have varying flower colors and sizes.
Nelumbo lutea Planting Needs
The American lotus prefers full sun and to be rooted underwater. Propagation can be from scarified seed or by dividing its rhizomes. It is hardy in the USDA hardiness zones of 4 through 11.
American Lotus Uses
Other than a standard water garden plant feature, the American lotus has other uses. Its seed heads are great features in dried flower arrangements. The Native Americans used the tuber as a food, baked like a sweet potato. Leaves were eaten much like spinach. Seeds can be roasted or eaten raw, or used as a flour when ground.
Genus Confusion
At one time the American lotus was in Nymphaeaceae, the water lily family. Today it has its own genus that it shares with only one other (The Nelumbo nucifera, or Pink-flowered sacred lotus), the Nelumbonaceae family.
American Lotus Synonyms
The American lotus is also called Nelumbo lutea, Nelumbo pentapetala, the yellow lotus, the lotus lily, yanquapin, water-chinquapin, pond nuts, duck acorn, and yellow Nelumbo.
The American lotus is a lovely plant that will be a focal point to your water garden. It has many uses and as many names, but everyone can see that its true function is to be pleasing on the eye.
Source:
Floridata
Published by Tina Samuels - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle
Author of three books, Tina Samuels is also the owner of Turtle Trax Hobbies. She s been a freelance writer for 20 years and a small business owner for three. Two of her three books are slated for a Spring 2... View profile
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1 Comments
Post a CommentThis is fabulously written! You included everything, absolutely everything, we could possibly want to know! I've always loved American Lotus plants, but sadly will never be able to grow any at home, although there are some at St. Paul's Como Zoo, and even by our small cabin on the Snake River (which don't last long because the frogs eat them when they bloom). Thanks for writing this!