Yellow Lotus or American Lotus
Nelumbo Lutea
This is a native plant and only found in one cove of Lake Norman.
The American Lotus is native from the Great Lakes south to Florida and west to Texas.
Its flowers are extremely large, typically six inches wide. Flowers are luminescent yellow with many petals and stamens. American lotus leaves are circular and do not have a “cut”, as do water lily leaves. The lotus leaf is on a long, stiff stalk that is connected to the leaf at the very center of the leaf, umbrella-like. American lotus seedpods are sold as ornamental items.
Photo was taken on Lake Norman, Summer of 2000