Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner
Detail
- Family
- Nelumbonaceae
- Botanical Name
- Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner
- Common Name
- Sacred Lotus, Oriental Lotus-Lily, Pink Lotus
- Synonym(s)
- Flora of Virginia Name/Status
- Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner
- Comments
- A large, well-established stand of this species was discovered along Diascund Creek in June 2018, in the vicinity of Hicks Island (James City Co.). This dense population covers between 2 and 3 acres between the upland and the main creek channel. At the time of discovery, flowering plants were abundant. Flowers were either predominately pink or whitish with pink suffusion, the color generally best developed in the distal parts of the tepals. This showy Asiatic species is frequently cultivated and escaped in scattered localities throughout the southeastern U.S. It has the potential to become invasive in favorable aquatic habitats, and its seeds can remain viable for centuries.
- Habitat
- Dominating a tidal freshwater marsh along Diascund Creek, mixed with Nuphar advena, Pontederia cordata, and Taxodium distichum.
- Native Status
- Introduced
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