08/12/2026
While we are over here In Louisiana we wanted to take some time to check out some of the native plants. This lotus is my favorite find so far ❤️
If you’ve ever seen these gorgeous yellow blooms rising above the water, you may not realize just how special this native plant is.
Meet the American Lotus (Nelumbo lutea).
American lotus grows naturally in ponds, lakes and slow-moving waterways, and nearly every part of the plant has a long history of use.
A traditional food plant
The young seeds can be eaten fresh while they’re still green and tender, while mature seeds can be dried and cooked. The starchy underground rhizomes have also traditionally been prepared as food.
Traditional herbal use
Different parts of American lotus have been used in Indigenous and traditional preparations for generations. The seeds, leaves, flowers and rhizomes have all had their place — although traditional use does not necessarily mean a benefit has been proven by modern clinical research.
Those incredible seed pods
After the flower fades, it leaves behind the unmistakable shower-head-shaped seed pod. As it matures, the seeds inside develop from tender green seeds into hard, dark mature seeds that can be saved for planting.
And beyond its uses, American lotus is an important native aquatic plant, providing habitat and food within wetland ecosystems. 🐝🦆
I absolutely love learning about the useful plants growing all around us — sometimes the most fascinating “herbs” aren’t sitting on an apothecary shelf at all. They’re growing wild right under our noses.