American lotus - Nelumbo lutea

Leaves are large, circular and cupped, 8-25 inches in diameter. Young leaves are usually floating. Mature leaves may extend 2-4 feet above the water surface. Stems are attached to the center of the leaf. There is no split in the leaf margin. The American lotus produces large, showy flowers 8-10 inches in diameter. Seeds are produced in a large structure called a receptacle. The receptacle is yellow within the flower but as seeds mature, the receptacle becomes green, gradually hardens and becomes dark brown and woody. Seeds are held loosely in the mature receptacle. Lotus is often planted as an ornamental, however, it quickly spreads and should not be planted in sportfish ponds. The plant spreads mainly through rhizomes growing along the pond bottom.