| Nelumbo lutea | |
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Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Proteales |
| Family: | Nelumbonaceae |
| Genus: | Nelumbo |
| Species: | N. lutea |
| Binomial name | |
| Nelumbo lutea | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
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Nelumbo lutea is a species offlowering plant in thefamilyNelumbonaceae. Common names includeAmerican lotus,yellow lotus,water-chinquapin, andvolée. It is native toNorth America. The botanical nameNelumbo luteaWilld. is the currently recognized name for this species, which has been classified under theformer namesNelumbium luteum andNelumbo pentapetala, among others.[4]
American lotus is an emergentaquatic plant. It grows inlakes andswamps, as well as areas subject toflooding. The roots are anchored in the mud, but theleaves andflowers emerge above the water's surface. Thepetioles of the leaves may extend as much as 2 m (6.6 ft) and end in a round leaf blade 33–43 cm (13–17 in) in diameter. Mature plants range in height from 0.8 to 1.5 m (2.6 to 4.9 ft).[5]
Flowering begins in late spring and may continue into the summer. The specific name means "yellow" inLatin and refers to theflowers, which may be white to pale yellow. The flowers measure 18–28 cm (7.1–11.0 in) in diameter and have 22-25petals.[5]
It is the larval host plant of the American lotus borer,Ostrinia penitalis.[6]
Nelumbo lutea populations are declining in the U.S. due tohabitat destruction. It has been listed as threatened or endangered in New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, and extirpated in Delaware.[7] Their populations have a low level of genetic diversity, showing variation among different populations rather than within populations.[8]
The native distribution of the species isMinnesota toOklahoma,Florida,Mexico,Honduras, and theCaribbean.
It was apparently distributed northwards in the United States by Native Americans who carried the plant with them as a food source.[9]
This plant has a large tuberousrhizome that is used as a food source.[10] This may be the plant called "macoupin" inMiami-Illinois. Theseed is also edible and is known as "alligator corn".[11] The seedlike fruits can be shaken loose, and are also edible.[12] The unopened leaves and young stalks can be cooked.[13]
The species is widely planted in ponds for its foliage and flowers. American Lotus spreads via creeping rhizomes and seeds. This species has been crossed withN. nucifera to create manyhybrids. Seeds may be propagated byscarifying the pointed tip of the seed with a file then soaking in water. Propagation is also possible by division of established plants.
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Authority control databases: National |
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