American lotus, Nelumbolutea Willd., is an emergent aquatic plant that is notable for its large leaves and yellow flowers. There is a one other species, N.nucifera Gaertn., the sacred lotus found in China and it has pink flowers. The lotus eaters of Greek mythology most likely ate the fruit of Ziziphus lotus (L.) Lam., which is similar to jujube
Z. zizyphus (L.) Karst., although several other possible plants have been identified. The seeds and roots of American lotus are both eatable with the former being like a nut and the later like a potato. The seeds are in a unique structure that is flat-topped and funnel-shaped with each seed being in its on hole on the top, these lotus heads are commonly used in dried flower arrangements.
