nasturtium

nasturtium

nasturtium , any plant of the genus Tropaeolum, tropical American herbs (usually climbing) native to mountainous areas of South and Central America. Several species are cultivated in the United States as ornamentals for their yellow or red flowers, e.g., the common nasturtiums ( T. majus and T. minus ) and the canary-bird flower ( T. peregrinum ). These species have been hybridized. The plants are sometimes used for food, i.e., the tuberous rooted T. tuberosum or añu of the high Andes, the seeds (pickled as capers), and the tart flowers and leaves (used in salads). Properly, Nasturtium is the botanical name for the water cresses, an unrelated genus of the family Cruciferae ( mustard family). Nasturtiums are classified in the division Magnoliophyta , class Magnoliopsida, order Geraniales, family Tropaeolaceae.

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"nasturtium." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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nasturtium

nas·tur·tium / naˈstərshəm; nə-/ • n. a South American trailing plant (Tropaeolum majus, family Tropaeolaceae) with round leaves and bright orange, yellow, or red flowers that is widely grown as an ornamental.

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"nasturtium." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"nasturtium." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-nasturtium.html

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nasturtium

nasturtium Both the leaves and seeds of Tropaeolum officinalis can be eaten; they have a hot flavour. The seeds can be pickled as a substitute for capers, and the flowers can be used to decorate salads.

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DAVID A. BENDER. "nasturtium." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DAVID A. BENDER. "nasturtium." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-nasturtium.html

DAVID A. BENDER. "nasturtium." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-nasturtium.html

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nasturtium

nasturtium genus of cruciferous plants (watercress, etc.) having a pungent taste XVII; trailing plant of the genus Tropaeolum XVIII. — L.; of uncert. orig.

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T. F. HOAD. "nasturtium." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "nasturtium." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-nasturtium.html

T. F. HOAD. "nasturtium." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-nasturtium.html

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nasturtium

nasturtium See TROPAEOLUM.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "nasturtium." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "nasturtium." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-nasturtium.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "nasturtium." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-nasturtium.html

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Nasturtium

Nasturtium (watercress; family Cruciferae) A genus of plants that have pinnate leaves and spikes of white flowers. The elongated fruits have two convex valves. Watercress is cultivated for its edible leaves, used as a salad vegetable. There are 6 species, occurring from Europe to central Asia.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "Nasturtium." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "Nasturtium." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-Nasturtium.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "Nasturtium." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-Nasturtium.html

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nasturtium

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"nasturtium." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"nasturtium." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-nasturtium.html

"nasturtium." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-nasturtium.html

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