NASTURTIUM (Tropaeolum majus)

Nasus tortus…nasty urshums…tropaeolum majus. How's your Latin? Nasus tortus could be translated "nose twister" or "convulsed nose", very apt for those who dislike the strong scent of this plant. Tropaeolum is from the Latin tropaeum meaning trophy, and refers to the shapes of the flowers (helmet-like) and the leaves (shield-like). Belonging to the genus Tropaeolum, which also includes the caper bush, the nasturtium should not be confused with the genus Nasturtium, of which watercress is the most commonly known member. Because the two share a similar flavor and because of its origins, the flower we might grow in our Midwestern gardens was nicknamed "Indian cress" by the early English herbalists.

The common nasturtium we know was discovered in Peru by the Spanish and taken to Spain in the 1500s. It was also pirated by the English and introduced to England in 1684. Later on it was used in the search for preventatives for scurvy; apparently this endeavor failed, but the plant is high in vitamin C. One of my sources says that nasturtium leaves are used in Ayurvedic medicine, where they are rubbed on the gums to stimulate and cleanse them.

Nasturtium is an annual that will reseed itself in milder climates. It will bloom until frost strikes it down and even then, if protected, will continue to send up new growth until a really hard frost.

Surprise—they aren't always orange! Today's varieties range from cream through mahogany, some with blotched throats. The names could make one hungry-'Raspberry Sorbet', 'Strawberry Ice', Apricot Trifle', 'Peach Melba'…. The flowers can be single, semi-double or fully double. Most have a spur at the back. Some of the newer cultivars do not. The leaves are round, with the stem nearly central, and the vein radiating out toward the edges. They are generally bright green. My 'Empress of India' tends toward maroon at the edges and has some red on some stems. 'Alaska' has white speckles and streaks in its leaves. Individual plants can be compact, as is the 'Alaska', from 8 to 12 inches; semi-trailing, from 2 to 4 feet; or vining, from 6 to 8 feet.

One reference passes along an old quotation: "Be nasty to nasturtiums; they like it." The reason is that, like many of the Mediterranean herbs we grow, they perform better in lean to average soils rather than in rich ones. Fertilizer results in bigger plants, but may be at the expense of flowers. If you must feed, use only a balanced one, such as 20-20-20. They prefer full sun, but will still bloom in partial shade. Seeds are big and easy to handle-good for children and us old folks, too. The little ones (plants, that is) need watering, but established plants seem to handle drought well. If they're in containers, watch out for them, but don't water if the soil is still damp

We can use this versatile herb as a companion plant in the food garden and greenhouse, where it will repel wooly aphid, squash bug, whitefly, and cabbage caterpillar and will work as a trap crop for the black aphid. It is well suited to being used as a summer cover to follow spring bulbs, as an edging plant, as a container and hanging basket plant, and for covering trellises and fences. Just choose a variety of the growth habit that you need.

Use nasturtiums as companion plants for the cucurbits, brassicas, potatoes, radishes and apple trees. In the flower garden, they are wonderful paired with purples and blues-purple asters and petunias, blue salvia, Russian sage, echinops, forget-me-knots, bachelor's buttons…. Add one or more of the blues and a white such as sweet alyssum or chrysanthemums to 'Empress of India' and you can have a patriotic planting with a variety of heights and textures. Actually, in the language of flowers the nasturtium represents patriotism

In the line of medicinal uses, the Peruvians were known to make a tea from the plant and use it for coughs, colds, flu, and menstrual and respiratory problems. Its vitamin C content would seem to be the active ingredient, but I found no references to other medically useful compounds.

In the line of medicinal uses, the Peruvians were known to make a tea from the plant and use it for coughs, colds, flu, and menstrual and respiratory problems. Its vitamin C content would seem to be the active ingredient, but I found no references to other medically useful compounds.

So common and easily grown as to be often ignored, nasturtiums nevertheless could have a place in your garden, as well as in your kitchen. If Monet loved them enough to plant them all along the path which led to his front door in Giverny, then you'll be in good company.

Thanks to Sue Cutter for this report on nasturtiums. Her sources were Marge Clark, The Best of Thymes; Bob Flowerdew, The Companion Garden; Geoff Hamilton, Cottage Gardens; Rombauer & Becker, Joy of Cooking; The Rodale Herb Book; http://cheftochef.net; http://homecooking. about.com; www.HoustonChronicle.com; www.gardenguides.com; www. homearts.com; www.sallys-place.com; www.seattleflowers.com; http://self-reliance.net/nstrtm.html.

Click on titles for the recipes Nasturium Mayonnaise and Nasturium Vinegar.

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Last updated by rauchfus@uiuc.edu