Nasturtium

Nasturtiums
Scientific Classification
Kingdom Plantae Subkingdom Tracheobionta Division Magnoliophyta Class Magnoliopsida Subclass Dilleniidae Order Geraniales* Family Tropaeolaceae Genus Tropaeolum
Species
T. majus T. minus T. peltophorum T. tuberosum
* The APG classification places the Tropaeolaceae in the Brassicales

Nasturtium (literally "nose-twister"), as commonly used, is the common name of flowering plants in the genus Tropaeolum, the only genus in the family Tropaeolaceae. It is also the systematic name of the genus in the family Brassicaceae.

garden Nasturtium

'Nasturtiums' (Tropaeolum) include several very popular garden plants. These plants have showy flowers and rounded, shield-shaped or peltate leaves with the petiole in the center. The flowers have five petals, or sometimes eight, a three-carpelled ovary, and a funnel-shaped nectar tube in the back. The flowers are often added to salads for an exotic look and taste. They have a slightly peppery taste reminiscent of watercress. The unripe seeds have been used as a substitute for capers.

The Nasturtiums receive their name from the fact that they produce an oil that is considered similar to mustard, which is from the family Brassicaceae.

genus Nasturtium

The genus Nasturtium in the family Brassicaceae currently contains only one species, Nasturtium gambelliiname. Watercress was previously classified in this genus, as Nasturtium officinale, but is currently classifed as Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum.

References

• Biodiversity site report on crucifers as of 2002-05-31
• ITIS 23252 as of 2002-05-31
• Delta as of 2002-08-01
• ITIS 29178 as of 2002-08-01

Referenced By