Lotus

Lotus (Nelumbo spp.) has leaves that are simple, round, bluish-green in color, up to 2 feet in diameter, attached to the stem in center.   The leaves are nearly perfectly round with no cleft.  Leaves are flat if floating or conical if emergent and can stand above the water’s surface up to 3 1/2 feet on the rigid stem. American Lotus (Nelumbo lutea) usually has large yellowish flowers (to 10 inches across) with more than 20 petals, but some ornamental species (Nelumbo nucifera) range in colors from white to pink. The center of the flower, the seed structure, is cone-shaped (or like an inverted shower-head) and has honeycomb-like openings in which the seeds develop. Lotus is often confused with Lilies, but differs by having no slit on the leaves and yellow flowers rather than white flowers.   American lotus has a very large and extensive root system (rhizomes).
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Management Options

Mechanical Options

Lotus can be cut and removed from the pond.

Biological Options

There are no biological control options for lotus.

Chemical Options

The active ingredients that have been successful in treating lotus include: 2, 4-D (E), alkylamine salts of endothall (G), Glyphosphate (G) and Imazamox (G). E = excellent, G = good

Information on Chemical Treatment of Aquatic Vegetation

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