American LotusNelumbo 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 Type | Forb |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 inches |
| Light Exposure | Sun, Part Sun |
| Soil Moisture | Dry |
| Bloom Color | Yellow |
Tolerances
| Flooding / Inundation Tolerance | High |
|---|---|
| General Resilience | 4 |
| Salt Tolerance | None |
| Stress Tolerance | Acidic Conditions |
Pollinator Value: High
| Bloom Months | July to September |
|---|---|
| Pollinator Benefit | Insect Pollinated, Provides Nectar, Supports Generalists |
Project Planning
| Project Type | Erosion Control, Shoreline Buffer |
|---|---|
| Coefficient of Conservatism | 4 |
| Herbivore Sensitivity | Medium |
| Lifespan | Perennial |
| Rate of Spread | Medium |
| Soil Stabilization | Shallow |
| Vegetative Reproduction | Clonal |
Range
| County | Carver, Chisago, Cottonwood, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Wabasha, Washington, Winona |
|---|---|
| Ecoregion | Driftless Area, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Lakes and Forests, Western Cornbelt Plains |
| Approximate Eco Province | Eastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland |