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|flowers=red, orange, yellow
|flowers=red, orange, yellow
|Temp Metric=°F
|Temp Metric=°F
|image=Tropaeolum.JPG
|image=Nasturtium-Tropaeolum.jpg
|image_width=240
|image_width=240
|image_caption=Tropaeolum majus
|image_caption=The flowers and leaves of the nasturtium plant.
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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.
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.
==Cultivation==
==Cultivation==
[[Image:Tropaeolum.JPG|right|thumb|175px|Tropaeolum majus]]
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.
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]].
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]].