Location specific values:
Array
(
    [lat] => 36.055500
    [lng] => -90.514900
    [elevation] => 87.136
    [rainfall] => 1248.34
    [cold_temperature] => -2.9
    [temperature] => 33.1212
    [user_eto] => 1147.47407288
)

Plant specific values:
Array
(
    [rain_min_irrigation] => 1321
    [eto_corrected] => 1220
    [eto_adjusted_rain_min (rain_min_irrigation / eto_corrected)] => 1.08278688
)
American Lotus (Nelumbo lutea) | Easyscape Plant Profile

American Lotus

(Nelumbo lutea)

American Lotus (Nelumbo lutea)

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Estimated Native Range
Species Map Help

Climate Requirements for Paragould, Arkansas

This Plant Your Site Plant Suitability for Your Location
• Precipitation 16" - 151" 49" Aquatic Aquatic
• High Temp. 66°F - 100°F 92°F Your summer temperatures are normal for this plant. Excellent
• Low Temp. 0°F - 73°F 27°F Your winter temperatures are normal for this plant Excellent
This plant should grow well at your location with about N inches per year (Y minutes per month) of irrigation.

Summary

Nelumbo lutea, commonly known as American Lotus, is a deciduous perennial herb native to a wide range of wetland habitats including marshes, floodplains, and the edges of ponds and lakes in the eastern and central United States, as well as parts of the Caribbean. This emergent aquatic plant has its roots anchored in the mud while its leaves and flowers rise above the water’s surface. The plant typically reaches heights of 0.8 to 1.5 meters (2.6 to 4.9 feet). The American Lotus is notable for its large, showy flowers that bloom from late spring into summer, with a peak in July. The flowers are typically white to pale yellow, reflecting the Latin specific name ’lutea’ which means "yellow," and they measure 18–28 cm (7.1–11.0 in) in diameter, featuring 22-25 petals. The plant also produces a distinctive seed pod, and both the seeds, known as "alligator corn," and the seedlike fruits are edible. Additionally, the unopened leaves and young stalks can be cooked and consumed.

The American Lotus is valued for its striking flowers and is used in water gardens and naturalized pond settings. It provides habitat and food for wildlife but is also the larval host plant for the American lotus borer, Ostrinia penitalis. While it offers ecological benefits, it requires a commitment to maintenance due to its size and the potential for spreading. In cultivation, it thrives in full sun and requires high amounts of water, adaptable to various soil drainage conditions. Gardeners should be aware that Nelumbo lutea can become invasive outside its native range, and it is essential to consult local regulations before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Herb
  • Height: 3-6 feet
  • Width: 3-4 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Flower Color: Cream, White, Yellow
  • Flowering Season: Summer
  • Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun
  • Water: High
  • Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Deer Resistant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fragrant, Showy Flowers, Water Garden

Natural Habitat

Native to marshes, floodplains, and the edges of ponds and lakes in the eastern and central United States, as well as parts of the Caribbean

Other Names

Common Names: American Nelumbo, Water-Chinquapin, Yellow Lotus, Lotus Jaune D’Amérique, Nélumbo, Volée

Scientific Names: Nelumbo lutea, Nelumbium luteum, Nelumbo pentapetala, Nelumbo nucifera subsp. lutea, Nelumbium jamaicense, Cyamus flavicomus, Cyamus luteus, Cyamus mysticus, Cyamus nelumbo

GBIF Accepted Name: Nelumbo lutea (Willd.) Pers.