by Kate Shunney
Following a show of pink water lilies in bloom earlier this summer in Hancock’s section of the C&O Canal, the canal prism is now home to another botanical show – the blooming of American lotus.
In a small watered section of the canal prism to the east of C&O Bicycle, a field of American lotus are unfolding their yellow buds amidst green lotus leaves. Canal users can smell the fragrance of the lotus as they pass by. Late last week, the flowers were wide open, interspersed with the distinctive lotus seed head.
American lotus is a tuberous rhizome that grows beneath the water. It can be considered invasive as the surviving rhizomes can fill a watery area. It is sometimes called a colonizing plant.
Lotuses prefer warm temperatures and will grow once water gets above 70 degrees.
Lotus prefers to grow in 12 inches of water, and not much deeper. It needs somewhere around six hours of sun per day to grow well. Lotus blooms will open and close each day.
