TROPAEOLUM MAJUS

Family and Genus:- See- TROPAEOLACEAE

Common Names:- Nasturium

Homotypic Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Tropaeolum (L) Trophy, tropaeum (the gardener's Nasurtium was

likened by Linnaeus to the routed losers' shields and helmets displayed in the

manner of the Greeks after victories in battle).

Majus (L) Larger, greater, bigger.

General description:- Hairless annual or perennial, somewhat succulent herbs,

procumbent or climbing by coiling petioles.

Leaves:-

1) Alternate. 4-15 cm, peltate. with

a) lobes, broadest in the upper half, orbicular, subentire to somewhat angular or

sinuate.

2) Stipules, usually absent.

Flowers:-

1) With two upper petals and three lower ones;

a) lower, ciliate at the base, 3-6 cm Æ, orange or red to yellow, or parti- coloured

b) spur, 2-4 cm, straight, cylindrical;

c) limb of the petal orbicular, more or less equalling the claw.

Fruit:-

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Habitat:-

Distribution:- Widely cultivated in gardens; frequently escaping and locally

naturalized. (Peru to Colombia.) Introduced.

Flowering time:- March to May, or even later.

Photo by:- Steve Lenton