Mystery Solved: The Story Behind the Odd Brown Pods Found Along Lake Michigan

When I talk to someone about how beautiful the Lake Michigan shoreline is I often joke that my parents didn't love me because they never made the 1 1/2 hour drive from Howell to the Lake Michigan shoreline.

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It wasn't until I was 24 and living in Grand Rapids that I finally went with some friends to the beach in holland and set foot into the ice cold water.

Now years later I'm married and kind of ashamed to say that my wife Lindsey and I don't make a trip out to the Holland Beach or Grand Haven Beach as much as we should.

Recently, someone taking a walk on the Grand Haven beach spotted something unusual.

Strange Things Washed Up On Grand Haven Beach

Over the weekend Wood TV Chief Meteorologist Ellen Bacca shared a video that was sent to her.

In the video you can see these strange dark brown things that sort of resemble a sunflower scattered along the beach.

Read More: 25 Things Michigan Is Known And Famous For

Turns out it was a bunch of American lotus pods.

What Is An American Lotus Pod

An American lotus pod is the distinctive seed head of the Nelumbo lutea, a large aquatic plant native to North America.

While the flower itself is a stunning pale yellow, the pod is often what catches people's attention due to its unique, "showerhead" appearance.

Because of all the heavy rain we've had this spring inland marshes have also flooded.

That flood water swept these pods into Lake Michigan, where they’ve eventually collected on shore.