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American Lotus
Nelumbo lutea

American lotus has large flowers with distinctive yellow seed capsules that persist through the winter. It is a wetland plant that can grow to 6 feet with 1 to 2 feet visible above the water. American lotus thrives in calm water with plenty of sun.

USDA symbol: NELU

General Information

Plant TypeForb
Height6 inches
Light ExposureSun, Part Sun
Soil MoistureDry
Bloom ColorYellow
American Lotus (American Lotus<div><em class="small">Nelumbo lutea</em></div>)
Photo credit: Minnesota Wildflowers (Click to enlarge)

Tolerances

Flooding / Inundation ToleranceVery High
General Resilience4
Salt ToleranceNone
Stress ToleranceAcidic Conditions

Pollinator Value: High

Bloom MonthsJuly to September
Pollinator BenefitInsect Pollinated, Provides Nectar, Supports Generalists

Project Planning

Project TypeErosion Control, Shoreline Buffer
Coefficient of Conservatism4
Herbivore SensitivityMedium
LifespanPerennial
Rate of SpreadMedium
Soil StabilizationShallow
Vegetative ReproductionClonal

Range

CountyCarver, Chisago, Cottonwood, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Wabasha, Washington, Winona
EcoregionDriftless Area, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Lakes and Forests, Western Cornbelt Plains
Approximate Eco ProvinceEastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland