Tropaeolum majus, the garden nasturtium, nasturtium,[3]Indian cress or monk's cress, is a species of flowering plant in the familyTropaeolaceae, originating in the Andes from Bolivia north to Colombia. An easily-grown annual or short-lived perennial[4] with disc-shaped leaves and brilliant yellow, orange or red flowers, it is of cultivated, probably hybrid origin.[5] It is not closely related to the genus Nasturtium (which includes watercress).
Description
It is a fast-growing plant, with trailing stems growing to 0.9–1.8 m (3–6 ft). The leaves are large, nearly circular, 3 to 15 cm (1 to 6 in) in diameter, green to glaucous green above, paler below; they are peltate, with the 5–30-cm-long petiole near the middle of the leaf, with several veins radiating to the smoothly rounded or slightly lobed margin.
The flowers are 2.5–6 cm in diameter, mildly scented,[6] with five petals, eight stamens, and a 2.5–3 cm long nectar spur at the rear; they vary from yellow to orange to red, frilled and often darker at the base of the petals. The fruit is 2 cm broad, three-segmented, each segment with a single large seed 1–1.5 cm long.[7][8]
Botanical scan
Underside of leaf
Leaves and flowers
Some color varieties
Flower showing nectar spur
Flower cut through to show structure
Immature fruit
Unique effects
Nasturtium leaves, like some other species, demonstrate the lotus effect, whereby rainwater falling on the surface gathers into globular droplets which roll off the leaf, leaving it dry and clean.[9]
Das Elisabeth Linné-Phänomen, or the Elizabeth Linnæus Phenomenon, is the name given to the phenomenon of "flashing flowers".[10] Especially at dusk, the orange flowers may appear to emit small "flashes". Once believed to be an electrical phenomenon, it is today thought to be an optical reaction in the human eye caused by the contrast between the orange flowers and the surrounding green. The phenomenon is named after Elisabeth Christina von Linné, one of Carl Linnaeus's daughters, who discovered it at age 19.[11]
Etymology
The species was originally called Nasturtium indicum ("Indian nasturtium") but the plant is not related to the true Nasturtium genus.
The current genus name Tropaeolum, coined by Linnaeus, means "little trophy". Tropaeolum is the diminutive form of the Latin tropaeum, itself borrowed from Ancient Greek τρόπαιον : trópaion "trophy".
Tropaeolum majuscultivars are widely grown as easy annual plants, and will grow in poor, damp soil in full sun. The large seeds are easy to handle individually.
As they do not tolerate heavy frost, in cooler climates they are best sown under glass in heat, and planted out after all danger of frost has passed. Alternatively, as they are fast-growing, they may be sown in situ after that time.
Many flower colours are available, in the warm spectrum from cream through yellow, orange, red and maroon. Some have highly decorative marbling on the leaves.
All of the above-ground parts of the plants are edible.[21] 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 flowers contain about 130 milligrams (0.0046 oz) vitamin C per 100 g (3+1⁄2 oz),[22] about the same amount as is contained in parsley.[23] Moreover, they contain up to 45 milligrams (0.0016 oz) of lutein per 100 grams (3.5 oz),[24] which is the highest amount found in any edible plant.[citation needed] The unripe seed pods can be harvested and dropped into spiced vinegar to become a condiment and garnish, sometimes used in place of capers.[25]
Some native South Americans used the plant medicinally, apparently due to its antibiotic (including antibacterial) properties.[26] Some Europeans ate it to treat urinary and genital infections.[26]
^Niizu, P.Y. & Rodriguez-Amaya, Delia B. (2005). "Flowers and Leaves of Tropaeolum majus L. as Rich Sources of Lutein". Journal of Food Science. 70 (9): S605 –S609. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2621.2005.tb08336.x. ISSN1750-3841.
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