Tropaeolum /trəˈpiːələm, troʊ-/, commonly known as nasturtium (/nəˈstɜːrʃəm, næ-/; literally "nose-twister" or "nose-tweaker"), is a genus of roughly 80 species of annual and perennial herbaceous flowering plants.
It was named by Carl Linnaeus in his book Species Plantarum, and is the only genus in the family Tropaeolaceae. The nasturtiums received their common name because they produce an oil similar to that of watercress (Nasturtium officinale).
The genus Tropaeolum, native to South and Central America, includes several very popular garden plants, the most common being T. majus, T. peregrinum and T. speciosum.
One of the hardiest species is T. polyphyllum from Chile, the perennial roots of which can survive the winter underground at elevations of 3,300 metres (11,000 ft).
Plants in this genus have showy, often intensely bright flowers and rounded, peltate (shield-shaped) leaves with the petiole in the centre. The flowers are bisexual and zygomorphic, with five petals, a superior three-carpelled ovary, and a funnel-shaped nectar spur at the back, formed by modification of one of the five sepals.
*Wiki
Nasturtium (Empress of India) - Tropaeolum Nanum
- Nasturtium Empress of India is a dwarf, non-trailing Nasturtium with stunning scarlet flowers and deep, blue-green leaves.
- Plants are easy to grow and long-blooming. Flowers are edible and have a tangy, peppery taste.
- Try them in salads or stuffed with a cream cheese filling. Also makes a colorful garnish.
- Bumble bees love the flowers.