Growth and life span of the leaves of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. in Lake Kasumigaura, Japan

Growth of leaves of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. in Lake Kasumigaura was investigated with special emphasis on leaf dynamics. Floating leaves were found throughout the growing period, while emergent leaves were not found until July. However, emergent leaves contributed approximately 75% of the total leaf area index at its seasonal maximum, 2.76 m ² m ^-2. Mean leaf life span of emergent leaves with thick laminae and stiff petioles was much longer than that of floating leaves (44.5 vs. 17.1 days).