Tropaeolum majus – Nasturtium

Tropaeolum majus - Nasturtium, Garden Nasturtium

Tropaeolum majus - Nasturtium, Garden Nasturtium

Plant Name

Scientific Name: Tropaeolum majus

Common Names: Nasturtium, Garden Nasturtium

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual, Perennial

Growth Habit: Vine, Herb/Forb

Hawaii Native Status: Introduced. This naturalized ornamental and edible garden plant is native to Brazil and Peru.

Flower Color: Brilliant orange, Yellow, Red, Cream (cultivated), Pink (cultivated)

Height: Climbing or trailing to 5 feet (1.5 m) or more.

Description: The flowers are up to 2 1/3 inches (6 cm) in diameter and have 5 petals and 5 sepals. The seeds are large, light brown, and wrinkled. The leaves are bright green, round in shape, and peltate with palmate veins radiating from the petiole.

Special Characteristics

Edible – The flowers and young leaves are edible and can be used in salads. They have a hot, peppery, watercress-like flavor. The seeds are also edible and can be dried and ground as a pepper substitute.

Classification

Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass: Rosidae
Order: Geraniales
Family: Tropaeolaceae – Nasturtium family
Genus: Tropaeolum L. – nasturtium
Species: Tropaeolum majus L. – nasturtium

More About This Plant

Hawaii County Distribution Map