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The American Lotus (Nelumbo Lutea) is generally described as a perennial forb/herb. This dicot (dicotyledon) is native to the U.S. (United States) has its most active growth period in the summer . The American Lotus has green foliage and inconspicuous yellow flowers, with a moderate amount of conspicuous brown fruits or seeds. The greatest bloom is usually observed in the mid summer, with fruit and seed production starting in the summer and continuing until fall. Leaves are not retained year to year. The American Lotus has a long life span relative to most other plant species and a moderate growth rate. At maturity, the typical American Lotus will reach up to 3 feet high, with a maximum height at 20 years of 0 inches.
The American Lotus is easily found in nurseries, garden stores and other plant dealers and distributors. It can be propagated by bare root, bulbs, seed. It has a moderate ability to spread through seed production and the seedlings have medium vigor. Note that cold stratification is not required for seed germination and the plant cannot survive exposure to temperatures below -36°F. American Lotus has none tolerance to drought and restricted water conditions.
| Category | Dicot |
|---|---|
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| General Type | Forb/herb |
| Growth Period | Summer |
| Growth Duration | Perennial |
| Lifespan | Long |
| Plant Nativity | Native to U.S. |
| Commercial Availability | Routinely Available |
| Bloom Period | Mid Summer |
|---|---|
| Displays Fall Colors | No |
| Shape/Growth Form | Rhizomatous |
| Drought Tolerance | None |
| Shade Tolerance | Intolerant |
| Height When Mature | 3 |
| Vegetative Spread | Rapid |
| Flower Color | Yellow |
| Flower Conspicuousness | Yes |
| Fruit/Seed Abundance | Medium |
| Fruit/Seed Seasonality | Summer Fall |
| Seed Spread Rate | Moderate |
| Propagations (Ways to Grow) | Bare Root, Bulbs, Seed |
|---|---|
| Moisture Requirements | High |
| Cold Stratification Required | No |
| Minimum Temperature | -36 |
| Soil Depth for Roots | 12 |
| Toxic to Nearby Plants | No |
| Toxic to Livestock | No |
| After-Harvest Resprout Ability | No |
| Responds to Coppicing | No |
| pH Range | 4.6–7.4 pH |
|---|---|
| Precipitation Range | 0–0 inches/yr |
| Planting Density | 302–1746 indiv./acre |
| Soil Textures | Coarse, Fine, Medium |
| Soil Depth for Roots | 12 |
| Minimum Frost-Free Days | 130 day(s) |
| Salinity Tolerance | None |
| CaCO3 Tolerance | Medium |
| Leaf Retention | No |
|---|---|
| Fire Resistant | No |
Source: USDA, NRCS, PLANTS Database, plants.usda.gov.
National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA