Lotus edulis

Physical Characteristics

Lotus edulis is a ANNUAL growing to 0.0 m (0ft 2in) by 0.4 m (1ft 6in). It is in flower from June to October, and the seeds ripen from July to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

Europe - Mediterranean.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seedpod Edible Uses: Young seedpods - raw or cooked[2, 105, 177]. The pods are a bit small and fiddly (they are about 3cm long) but they have quite a pleasant taste eaten raw, rather like French Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)[K].

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

None known