Tropaeolum majus

Tropaeolum majus

The garden nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus L., 1753) is a herbaceous species belonging to the Tropaeolaceae family.

Systematics –
From a systematic point of view it belongs to:
Eukaryota Domain,
Kingdom Plantae,
Magnoliophyta Division,
Superclass Rosidae,
Magnoliopsida class,
Order Geraniales,
Tropaeolaceae family,
Genus Tropaeolum,
T. majus species.
The terms are synonymous:
– Cardamindum majus (L.) Moench;
– Nasturtium indicum Garsault;
– Tropaeolum atrosanguineum Godr.;
– Tropaeolum atrosanguineum Gordon;
– Tropaeolum chaixianum É.Morren;
– Tropaeolum elatum Salisb.;
– Tropaeolum hortense Sparre;
– Tropaeolum hybridum L.;
– Tropaeolum majas L.;
– Tropaeolum naudinii É.Morren;
– Tropaeolum pinnatum Andr.;
– Tropaeolum quinquelobum Berg;
– Tropaeolum repandifolium Stokes;
– Tropaeolum scheuerianum É.Morren;
– Tropaeolum schilligii P.Vilm., 1865;
– Tropaeolum schillingii B.Verl.;
– Tropaeolum zanderi A.Dietr.;
– Trophaeum atrosanguineum (Gordon) Kuntze;
– Trophaeum chaixianum (É.Morren) Kuntze;
– Trophaeum majus (L.) Kuntze;
– Trophaeum naudinii (É.Morren) Kuntze;
– Trophaeum pinnatum (Andr.) Kuntze;
– Trophaeum scheunerianum (É.Morren) Kuntze;
– Trophaeum zanderi (A.Dietr.) Kuntze.

Etymology –
The term Tropaeolum is the diminutive coming from the Greek τρóπαιον trópaion trophy: for the showiness of the flowers.
The specific epithet majus is an incorrect orthographic form, but valid, for maior, us (comparative of magnus grande: greater, larger or long (compared to other species of the same genus).

Geographic Distribution and Habitat –
The garden nasturtium is a plant native to Peru. This species has naturalized in some parts of the United States (California, New York, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Virginia), as well as in parts of Europe and Asia, Africa and Australia; it is also listed as invasive in Hawaii and Lord Howe Island, Australia.
In Europe it is present in the wild in the areas of the Mediterranean scrub (Liguria, Central-Southern Italy, Albania, Greece, Southern Spain etc.), where it has managed to establish itself thanks to its adaptability (it can also be found near the edges of roads) to a similar habitat for some characteristics in common of the Mediterranean climate with the tropical one, of which the species is native.

Description –
Tropaeolum majus is a shrubby ground cover herbaceous plant with robust and bundled roots. It has numerous thin herbaceous stems, covered with large, round, light green leaves that give off a light and pleasant scent. A peculiarity of the nasturtium is undoubtedly in the water-repellent capacity of the leaves: in fact, the water that comes into contact with the plants does not wet them, but forms droplets that roll on the edge of the leaf until they fall, a phenomenon that is identified with the so-called lotus effect (also observed in the lotus flower).
The flowers are funnel-shaped, carried by long stems, 1.5 to 5 cm long, 5 cm large, from yellow to orange to red, delicately scented. The flowers are zygomorphic and the calyx is composed of five sepals, one of which is characterized by a spur-like elongation. Similarly, the corolla is also composed of five petals. Each flower has eight stamens and an upper ovary, consisting of three carpels.
All varieties of nasturtium bloom profusely from June until late summer.

Cultivation –
The nasturtium appreciates a sunny position and a soil that is not too rich. It is used as a hanging, creeping or climbing plant. Currently there are two varieties: the dwarf one and the climbing one. The dwarf variety fits better in pots and grows less than the climbing variety which grows more and needs a medium to large size pot.
It is a plant widely grown as an annual and has large seeds and therefore easy to handle individually and to sow.
These plants, since they do not tolerate intense frost, should be sown (in less temperate climates) in a greenhouse and transplanted after the danger of frost has passed. Alternatively, as they grow rapidly, they can be sown in situ in May or June.
Many varieties of this species are available with various flower colors, from cream to yellow, orange, red and brown. Some have highly decorative marbling on the leaves.
The flowers are produced prolifically during the late spring and summer, although they continue to produce lower volumes throughout the year.

Customs and Traditions –
Tropaeolum majus is a plant that, in the seventeenth century, was imported by Europeans and also used against vitamin C deficiency (scurvy). Antibacterial properties are now attributed to nasturtium in herbal medicine.
This species is perennial in South America; several hybrids are grown in Europe. It is mostly an annual crop, as it is quite sensitive to frost.
In addition to ornamental purposes, it is a plant that is used in the food and medicinal fields.
All aboveground parts of plants are edible. The flower was consumed more often, making it a particularly ornamental salad ingredient; it has a slightly peppery flavor reminiscent of watercress, and is also used in a pan. The flowers contain about 130 mg of vitamin C per 100 g, about the same amount contained in parsley. In addition, they contain up to 45 mg of lutein per 100 g.
Unripe seed pods can be harvested and dropped into spiced vinegar to make a seasoning and garnish and sometimes used in place of capers.
In traditional medicine, some South American natives used the plant in medicine, apparently because of its antibiotic and antibacterial properties. Some Europeans ate it to treat urinary and genital infections.
From an ecological point of view, Tropaeolum majus is used as a food plant by the larvae of some species of lepidoptera.

Preparation Method –
Tropaeolum majus is a plant known in the ornamental field but equally appreciated in the food field and used, especially in the past, in traditional medicine.
All parts of the plant are edible and taste vaguely similar to that of cress, a plant of the Cruciferae family. The similarity in flavor lies in the fact that the Cruciferae and the Tropeolaceae are two families relatively close to each other, also for the chemicals that are synthesized in these plants. The fruit of the nasturtium, with a flavor similar to that of leaves and flowers, is sometimes used as a substitute for the caper, even if the opinions on the qualities of this plant in gastronomy differ. The leaves are used to flavor foods, especially pasta dishes, given their slightly spicy flavor.
Flowers are often used as an ornamental ingredient for salads or as a topping for stir-fried dishes.

Guido Bissanti

Sources
– Acta Plantarum – Flora of the Italian Regions.
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
– Useful Tropical Plants Database.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (ed.), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore.
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora of Italy, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Treben M., 2000. Health from the Lord’s Pharmacy, Advice and experiences with medicinal herbs, Ennsthaler Editore.
Photo source:
– https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/180689019/original.jpg

Warning: Pharmaceutical applications and alimurgical uses are indicated for informational purposes only, they do not represent in any way a medical prescription; therefore no responsibility is taken for their use for curative, aesthetic or food purposes.