American Lotus

Nelumbo lutea

no photo — written note
photo: Wikimedia Commons
Plants

Enormous round leaves held above the water with pale yellow bowl-shaped flowers.

Field facts
HabitatBackwater lakes, sloughs, slow river bends
RangeSouthwestern Indiana and Ohio River backwaters
When to lookFlowers July to August
StatusLocally abundant; habitat-limited (Indiana DNR / IUCN Red List)
Look-alikesWater Lily, Spatterdock

Field note: Its seeds can stay viable for centuries in pond mud.

Lesson
Watching responsibly

Paddle around beds rather than through them; stems break easily.

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