Seeds of Nelumbo lutea. American lotus is an emergent aquatic plant. It grows in lakes and swamps as well as areas that flood. The roots are anchored in the mud but the leaves and flowers emerge above the waters surface. The petioles of the leaves may extend as much as 6 ft and end in a round leaf blade 13 to 17 inches in diameter. Flowering begins in late spring and may continue into the summer. The flowers measure 7 to 11 inches in diameter and have 22-25. Zones 4 to 11.