Nelumbo

Adanson

Fam. Pl. 2: 76, 582. 1763.

Common names: Lotus
Etymology: Ceylonese vernacular name
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 3.

Rhizomes forming swollen storage tubers late in growing season. Leaf blade peltate, orbiculate, margins entire. Flowers exceeding leaves, to 2.5 dm or more diam.; tepals caducous or outermost persistent, 14-30, white to pink-purple or yellow; stamens 100-200. Fruits somewhat globose or ovoid; receptacle gradually or abruptly narrowed from top to base, base tapered to rounded, lateral surface striate or rugose. x = 8.

Distribution

North America, West Indies, Central America, Asia, Australia.

Discussion

Species 2 (2 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Key

1 Tepals pale yellow, outermost normally persistent; mature fruits mostly less than 1.25 times longer than wide. Nelumbo lutea
1 Tepals pink or white, all normally caducous; mature fruits mostly more than 1.5 times longer than wide. Nelumbo nucifera