Nasturtium

Nasturtium is the common name of one plant and the scientific name of another.

Table of contents 1 Placement 2 Species 2.1 Problems 2.2 References Placement Kingdom Plantae Subkingdom Tracheobionta Division Magnoliophyta -- angiosperms, flowering plants Class Magnoliopsida -- dicotyledons Subclass Dilleniidae Order Geraniales Family Tropaeolaceae Genus Tropaeolum

Species

T. majus
T. minus
T. peltophorum
T. tuberosum

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Ref: Delta
as of 2002-08-01
ITIS 29178
as of 2002-08-01

The nasturtium is a plant of the genus Tropaeolum with showy flowers and rounded, shield-shaped or peltate leaves with the petiole in the center. It can also be used in salads and has a slightly peppery taste reminiscent of watercress. The flowers have five petals, or sometimes eight, a three-carpelled ovary, and a funnel-shaped nectar tube in the back.

It receives its name as it has an oil that is considered similar to mustard, which is from the brassicaceae family. Nasturtiums are edible, and have a pungent flavor.

Problems

The name Nasturtium officinale has been given to watercress, but the currently accepted name for it is Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum.

References

http://biodiversity.uno.edu/delta/angio/www/crucifer.htm as of 2002-05-31
ITIS 23252
as of 2002-05-31