American lotus Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids American lotus

Scientific classification
Genus:	Nelumbo
Species:	lutea

The American lotus (scientific name: Nelumbo lutea) is a beautiful flowering plant found in North America. It's also known by other names like yellow lotus, water-chinquapin, and volée. This plant belongs to the family called Nelumbonaceae. Its scientific name, Nelumbo lutea, means "yellow lotus" in Latin, which makes sense because of its lovely yellow flowers!

What is the American Lotus?
Where Does the American Lotus Grow?
How is the American Lotus Used?
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What is the American Lotus?

The American lotus is an aquatic plant, meaning it grows in water. You can find it in lakes, swamps, and areas that often flood. Its roots stay in the mud at the bottom, but its leaves and flowers grow up and out of the water.

How Big Does It Get?

The stems of the leaves can grow very long, up to 2 m (6.6 ft) (about 6.5 feet). Each leaf is round and can be 33–43 cm (13–17 in) (about 13-17 inches) wide. Full-grown plants usually stand between 0.8 to 1.5 m (2.6 to 4.9 ft) (about 2.5 to 5 feet) tall.

Its Flowers

The American lotus starts to bloom in late spring and continues through the summer. Its flowers are usually white or pale yellow. They are quite large, measuring 18–28 cm (7.1–11.0 in) (about 7-11 inches) across. Each flower has many petals, usually between 22 and 25.

Special Connections

The American lotus is important for a type of moth called the American lotus borer. This moth's young (larvae) live and feed on the lotus plant.

Unfortunately, the number of American lotus plants is going down in the U.S. This is mainly because their natural homes are being destroyed. Because of this, it is now considered an endangered species in some areas.

Where Does the American Lotus Grow?

This plant naturally grows across a wide area. You can find it from Minnesota down to Oklahoma, and all the way to Florida. It also grows in Mexico, Honduras, and the Caribbean.

Native American Lotus in Virginia Beach, Virginia

Native Americans helped spread the plant northwards in the United States. They carried the plant with them because it was an important food source.

How is the American Lotus Used?

The American lotus has many uses, especially as a food source.

Food Source

Rhizomes: The plant has a large, thick root-like part called a rhizome that grows underground. This part can be eaten. Some people believe this is the plant called "macoupin" in the Miami-Illinois language.
Seeds: The seeds are also edible and are sometimes called "alligator corn." The seed-like fruits can be easily shaken off the plant and eaten.
Leaves and Stalks: Even the young, unopened leaves and the young stalks can be cooked and eaten.

Gardening and Hybrids

People often plant American lotus in ponds because of its beautiful leaves and flowers. It spreads easily using its creeping rhizomes and seeds.

The American lotus has been crossed with another type of lotus, N. nucifera, to create many new hybrid lotus plants.

Growing New Plants

If you want to grow American lotus from seeds, you need to gently scratch the pointed tip of the seed with a file. This helps water get inside. Then, you soak the seeds in water. You can also grow new plants by dividing existing ones.