Etymology: Nelumbo: Ceylonese word for Asian lotus
Plants: floating, perennial, 1 1/2'-3' tall aquatic; from fleshy rhizomes
Leaves: 12"-28" wide, un-notched, round, bluish-green, floating at first then held above the water, stalks attached at the center of the leaf pulling it into a shallow, funnel shape
Flowers: white to yellow, 7 or more-parted, 2"-10" wide, solitary on stalks held up to 3' above the water; blooms July-Sept.
Fruits: brown, acorn-like seeds in a flat-topped, conical receptacle
Habitat: ponds, lakes, quiet water less than 30" deep; in sediment soil
Conservation Status: Native

Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 7, Wetland Indicator = OBL USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos USGS - Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"