Family: Nelumbonaceae

Nelumbo nucifera (lotus, sacred lotus) is an aquatic plant native to tropical and subtropical Asia. The starchy root of this plant is eaten commonly in China, Japan, India and other Asian countries. The whole plant is edible, including the young leaves which can be boiled and eaten as a vegetable or a wrap for rice. The stamens and dried petals can be used to make tea. The seeds can also be processed into various foods, including lotus seed noodles. 

It is widely naturalized around the world, but there is no evidence of naturalization in the Hawaiian Islands to date. This plant is an aquatic weed of bodies of water, including lakes, rivers and reservoirs. It impacts fishing and swimming in these areas and could potentially compete with native vegetation. It forms smothering mats in aquatic habitats, and can reproduce by fragments.These fragments can spread easily by water, invading new areas. Seeds are also incredibly persistent; in 1994, a seed from this species dated approximately 1300 years old, was successfully germinated. For these reasons it is considered a high risk plant.

High Risk Traits:

• Broad climate suitability (>5 hardiness zones)
  
• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized outside native range (but no evidence from Hawaiian Islands, to date)
  
• An aquatic weed of lakes, reservoirs, and water bodies, impacting boating, fishing, swimming and potentially competing with native vegetation
  
• Nelumbo lutea is also regarded as an invasive weed
  
• Forms dense, smothering mats in aquatic habitats, restricting and outcompeting native species
  
• Reproduces sexually be seeds and asexually by rhizomes
  
• Self-compatible
  
• Able to reproduce in one growing season
  
• Seeds and rhizomes dispersed by water and intentionally cultivated by people
  
• Seeds may persist for 100s of years, or longer, forming a persistent seed bank

Low Risk Traits:

• May be safe to cultivate in a contained pond or other water feature with minimal risk of natural dispersal
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Edible to humans and animals
  
• Ornamental
  
• Requires full sun
  
• Certain herbicides may provide effective control