Nelumbo lutea aka Vole

Nelumbo lutea, or American lotus, is an aquatic perennial. It belongs to the lotus family, Nelumbonaceae. Its native range runs from southeast Canada to Mexico. It also includes the Greater Antilles and Colombia. It grows in lakes, marsh pools, and slow river backwaters. Thick rhizomes root in mud and spread into broad colonies.

Garden plants reach 3–6 feet [0.9–1.83 metres] tall. One source gives a lower limit of 1 foot [0.3 metres]. Listed garden spread reaches 4 feet [1.22 metres]. Colonies can spread far beyond that size in open ponds. Round, waxy leaves form shallow bowls on long stalks. Most measure 1–2 feet [0.3–0.6 metres] across. Some reach 3.3 feet [1 metre] wide. Stiff stalks hold leaves and flowers above the water. The leaves die back in fall.

The fragrant flowers range from cream to yellow. They can reach 0.83 feet [0.25 metres] across. Bloom runs from June through September, sometimes into October. Each flower lasts about three days. It opens each morning and shuts at night. Flowers make heat and draw beetles and bees for pollination. Nut-like fruits form in holes across the broad central receptacle. This structure turns brown and hard as it dries. It later breaks free and floats, releasing seeds as it decays.

American lotus needs full sun and shallow, still water. Rich loam supports good growth, though it tolerates other soils. It prefers acid soil and grows well in fresh water. Most garden sources list USDA zones 4–10. A Florida source gives the broader range of 2–11. Roots must stay below ice to survive cold winters. Baskets or large pots help limit its spread in small ponds. Open mud lets it spread fast and crowd other plants. Its colonies give wildlife food, cover, and shelter. Dry seed heads also serve in flower arrangements.

Serious pest and disease trouble is uncommon. Aphids, spider mites, and blights can occur. Lotus borers may damage seeds. People eat the rhizomes, young leaves, stalks, and seeds. Cooked rhizomes provide starch; soaking first helps remove bitterness. Seeds can be eaten raw, cooked, or ground into flour. The bitter embryo is often removed. Native Americans used these parts as food. One source reports no known hazards. It also records root poultices for inflammation, without establishing their effectiveness.