Tropaeolum majus

 ( Majus ) 

Tropaeolum majus, the garden nasturtium, nasturtium, Indian cress or monk's cress, is a species of flowering plant in the family Tropaeolaceae. An annual plant or a short-lived perennial with disc-shaped leaves and brilliant yellow, orange or red flowers, it is of cultivated, probably hybrid origin. It is not closely related to the genus Nasturtium (which includes watercress).

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Description It is a fast-growing plant, either annual plant or perennial, with trailing stems growing to . The leaves are large, nearly circular, in diameter, green to glaucous green above, paler below; they are leaf shape, 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, Tropaeolum majus - L. Plants For A Future 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.Jepson Flora: Tropaeolum majusPacific Island Ecosystems at Risk: Tropaeolum majus

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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.

Das Elisabeth Linné-Phänomen, or the Elizabeth Linnæus Phenomenon, is the name given to the phenomenon of "flashing flowers".H. W. " Das Elisabeth Linné-Phänomen (sogenanntes Blitzen der Blüten) und seine Deutungen", Nature (nature.com). Retrieved 4 May 2013. 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." Försenad jätteplantering till Malmös schlagerfest, expert varnar för kalkning och kogödsel på påse", Odla med P1, Sveriges Radio, 29 April 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2013. (in Swedish)

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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".

The Latin specific epithet majus means "larger" (the neuter form of major).

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Distribution and habitat The species is of cultivated, probably hybrid origin.Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan . It originated in the Andes from Bolivia north to Colombia.

The species has become naturalized in parts of the United States (California, New York, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Virginia), Flora of North America v 7 p 166 as well as parts of Europe and Asia, Africa and Australia. It is listed as invasive plant in Hawaii and Lord Howe Island, Australia.

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Ecology The garden nasturtium is used as a food plant by the of some Lepidoptera species including the dot moth, the garden carpet moth and the Pieris brassicae.

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Cultivation Tropaeolum majus 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.

The groups Whirlybird Series and Alaska Series have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

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Uses All of the above-ground parts of the plants are edible.

(2025). 9781493014996, Rowman & Littlefield. . ISBN 9781493014996

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 vitamin C per , about the same amount as is contained in parsley. Moreover, they contain up to of lutein per , which is the highest amount found in any edible plant. The unripe seed pods can be harvested and dropped into spiced vinegar to become a condiment and garnish, sometimes used in place of .

Some native South Americans used the plant medicinally, apparently due to its antibiotic (including antibacterial) properties.

Some Europeans ate it to treat urinary and genital infections.

Categories: Majus, Flora Of Southern America, Garden Plants, Plants Described In 1753, Botanical Taxa Named By Carl Linnaeus, Leaf Vegetables

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