2. Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (sacred lotus, East Indian lotus)
Pl. 458 h; Map
2084
Leaves with the
petioles having scattered, slender prickles, these often breaking off at
maturity, leaving a roughened surface. Flower stalks with scattered prickles
similar to those of the petioles. Tepals (except the outermost) pink or
strongly pinkish-tinged (sometimes fading to white), the longest tepal 7–14 cm,
all of the tepals usually shed as the fruits mature. Anthers with the sterile
appendage 3–7 mm long. Receptacle with 10–38 embedded pistils, becoming
enlarged to 10 cm at fruiting, tapering from the upper rim to the base, the
sides usually not or only very slightly fluted longitudinally, often finely
pebbled or roughened. Fruits 10–20 mm long, 7–13 mm wide, mostly elliptic to
ovate in outline. 2n=16, 24. June–September.
Introduced,
uncommon, known thus far from Iron County and the Kansas City region (Europe,
Asia, south to Australia; introduced sporadically in the eastern [mostly
southeastern] U.S. west to Missouri and Louisiana, also South America,
Caribbean Islands). Ponds and lakes.