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|genus=Nasturtium

|genus=Tropaeolum

|common_name=Nasturtium

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|Temp Metric=°F

|image=Tropaeolum.JPG

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The most popular use of the name Nasturtium is in reference to this plant, the [[Tropaeolum]] genus. There is a genus of watercress which is botanically known as [[Nasturtium (genus)]] as well.

Nasturtium (classical Latin name of some cress, referring to its pungent smell: nasus, nose, and tortus. distortion). Cruciferae. The name Nasturtium is used for two very different groups of plants. As a flower- garden name, it is used for plants of the Tropaeolaceae (see Tropaeolum). It has also been used for certain crucifers, including the water-cress and horse-radish; but as a generic name it is now replaced, mostly by Radicula, which see.

 

{{otheruses4|the flowering plants of the genus Tropaeolum, commonly called nasturtiums|the genus of watercresses|Nasturtium (genus)}}

 

| image_caption = ''[[Tropaeolum majus]]''

About 80 species, see text.<br>

'''Nasturtium''' (literally "nose-twister" or "nose-tweaker"), as a common name, refers to a genus of roughly 80 species of [[Annual plant|annual]] and [[perennial plant|perennial]] [[herbaceous plant|herbaceous]] [[flowering plant]]s '''''Tropaeolum''''' ("Trophy"), one of three genera in the family [[Tropaeolaceae]]. It should not be confused with the [[Watercress]]es of the genus ''[[Nasturtium (genus)|Nasturtium]]'', of the [[Brassicaceae|Mustard]] family.

'''Nasturtium''' ({{pron-en|næˈstɜrʃ(i)əm}})<ref>{{OED|nasturtium}}</ref> literally "nose-twister" or "nose-tweaker"), as a common name, refers to a genus of roughly 80 species of [[Annual plant|annual]] and [[perennial plant|perennial]] [[herbaceous plant|herbaceous]] [[flowering plant]]s in the genus '''''Tropaeolum''''' ({{pron-en|trɵˈpiː.ələm}},<ref>''Sunset Western Garden Book,'' 1995:606–607; {{OED|Tropaeolum}}</ref> "trophy"), one of three genera in the family [[Tropaeolaceae]]. It should not be confused with the [[Watercress]]es of the genus ''[[Nasturtium (genus)|Nasturtium]]'', of the [[Brassicaceae|Mustard]] family.

This genus, native to [[South America|South]] and [[Central America]], includes several very popular garden plants, the most commonly grown being ''T. majus'', ''T. peregrinum'' and ''T. speciosum''. The hardiest species is ''T. polyphyllum'' from [[Chile]], the perennial roots of which can survive underground when air temperatures drop as low as -15°C (5°F).

The genus ''Tropaeolum'', native to [[South America|South]] and [[Central America]], includes several very popular garden plants, the most commonly grown being ''T. majus'', ''T. peregrinum'' and ''T. speciosum''. The hardiest species is ''T. polyphyllum'' from [[Chile]], the perennial roots of which can survive underground when air temperatures drop as low as -15°C (5°F).

They have showy, often intensely bright flowers (the intense color can make [[macrophotography]] quite difficult), and rounded, peltate ([[shield]]-shaped) leaves with the [[Petiole (botany)|petiole]] in the center. The flowers have five petals (sometimes more), a three-carpelled ovary, and a funnel-shaped nectar tube in the back.  

They have showy, often intensely bright flowers (the intense color can make [[macrophotography]] quite difficult), and rounded, peltate ([[shield]]-shaped) leaves with the [[Petiole (botany)|petiole]] in the center. The flowers have five petals (sometimes more), a three-carpelled ovary, and a funnel-shaped nectar tube in the back.  

''Tropaeolum'' species are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including [[Dot Moth]] and [[Garden Carpet]]. A very common "pest" found on Nasturtium in particular is the caterpillar of the [[Large White|Large White (Cabbage White) Butterfly]].

 

Nasturtium (classical Latin name of some cress, referring to its pungent smell: nasus, nose, and tortus. distortion). Cruciferae. The name Nasturtium is used for two very different groups of plants. As a flower- garden name, it is used for plants of the Tropaeolaceae (see Tropaeolum). It has also been used for certain crucifers, including the water-cress and horse-radish; but as a generic name it is now replaced, mostly by Radicula, which see.

The Nasturtiums receive their name from the fact that they produce an oil that is similar to that produced by [[Watercress]] (''Nasturtium officinale''), from the family [[Brassicaceae]].

 

 

In cultivation, most varieties of nasturtiums prefer to be grown in direct or indirect sunlight, with a few preferring partial shade.

In cultivation, most varieties of nasturtiums prefer to be grown in direct or indirect sunlight, with a few preferring partial shade.

The most common use of the nasturtium plant in cultivation is as an ornamental flower. It grows easily and prolifically, and is a self-seeding annual.

The most common use of the nasturtium plant in cultivation is as an ornamental flower. It grows easily and prolifically, and is a self-seeding annual.

It is also edible, making for an especially ornamental salad ingredient, and is used in [[stir fry]]. All parts of the plant are edible, not just the flower and leaves. The flowers can be added to salads for an exotic look and taste; they have a slightly peppery taste reminiscent of Watercress. The unripe seed pods can be harvested and pickled with hot vinegar, to produce a condiment and garnish, sometimes used in place of [[capers]], although the taste is strongly peppery. The [[mashua]] (''T. tuberosum'') produces an edible underground [[tuber]] that is a major food source in parts of the [[Andes]].

All parts of the plant are edible. The flower has most often been consumed, making for an especially ornamental salad ingredient; it has a slightly peppery taste reminiscent of [[watercress]], and is also used in [[stir fry]]. The unripe seed pods can be harvested and pickled with hot vinegar, to produce a condiment and garnish, sometimes used in place of [[capers]], although the taste is strongly peppery. The [[mashua]] (''T. tuberosum'') produces an edible underground [[tuber]] that is a major food source in parts of the [[Andes]].

Nasturtiums are also considered widely useful [[companion plant]]s. They repel a great many [[cucurbit]] pests, like [[squash bug]]s, [[cucumber beetle]]s, and several caterpillars. They had a similar range of benefits for [[brassica]] plants, especially [[broccoli]] and [[cauliflower]]. They also attract black fly [[aphids]], and are sometimes planted in the hope of saving crops susceptible to them. They may also attract beneficial, predatory insects.

Easily from seed.

See [[list of companion plants]]

Nasturtiums are also considered widely useful [[companion plant]]s. They repel a great many [[cucurbit]] pests, like [[squash bug]]s, [[cucumber beetle]]s, and several caterpillars. They had a similar range of benefits for [[brassica]] plants, especially [[broccoli]] and [[cauliflower]]. They also attract black fly [[aphids]], and are sometimes planted in the hope of saving crops susceptible to them (as a [[trap crop]]). They may also attract beneficial, predatory insects.

== Species ==

==Species==

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{{col-begin}}

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*''[[Tropaeolum gracile]]''

*''[[Tropaeolum gracile]]''

*''[[Tropaeolum guatemalense]]''

*''[[Tropaeolum guatemalense]]''

*''[[Tropaeolum harlingii Sparre]]''

*''[[Tropaeolum harlingii]]''

*''[[Tropaeolum hayneanum]]''

*''[[Tropaeolum hayneanum]]''

*''[[Tropaeolum hieronymii]]''

*''[[Tropaeolum hieronymii]]''

{{col-end}}

{{col-end}}

== External links ==  

==Gallery==

{{commons|Tropaeolum_majus|Tropaeolum majus}}

 

* [http://biodiversity.uno.edu/delta/angio/www/tropaeol.htm The Families of Flowering Plants - Tropaeolaceae]

<gallery perrow=5>

* [http://homepage.ntlworld.com/john.mcfarlane/ Tropaeolum by J. S. McFarlane]

Image:Upload.png| photo 1

Image:Upload.png| photo 2

Image:Upload.png| photo 3

</gallery>

 

<references/>

*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963

<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->

<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->

<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->