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TROPAEOLACEAE

NASTURTIUM FAMILY

Elizabeth McClintock

Annual, perennial herb, ± fleshy, generally ± glabrous; roots sometimes tuber-like
Stem prostrate, often twining by petioles
Leaves generally simple, generally alternate, peltate; blade entire, lobed, or dissected; stipules often 0; petiole generally >> blade
Inflorescence: flower generally solitary on long, axillary peduncle
Flower showy, bisexual, generally bilateral; sepals 5, uppermost with a generally long nectar spur; petals generally 5, clawed, upper 2 unlike lower 3; stamens 8, in 2 whorls, unequal; ovary superior, chambers 3, placentas axile, style 1, >> ovary, 3-lobed, stigmas 3
Fruit separating into 3 generally nut-like, 1-seeded segments
Genera in family: 3 genera, 92 species: Mex to South America; some cultivated.

TROPAEOLUM

NASTURTIUM


Flower bilateral; nectar spur conspicuous
Fruit segments nut-like
Species in genus: ± 90 species: Mex to Chile, c Argentina
Etymology: (Greek: trophy, from shield-like leaves)
Edible tubers of T. tuberosum Ruiz & Pav. are sold in Andean markets.

Introduced

T. majus L.

GARDEN NASTURTIUM

Annual or perennial herb
Stem > 1 m
Leaf: petiole 5–25 cm; blade 3–12 cm wide, round to ± reniform, veins palmate
Inflorescence: peduncle < 20 cm
Flower 2.5–6 cm diam; sepals > 2 cm, ovate, ± tan, nectar spur > 3 cm; petals > 4.5 cm, generally orange, claws of lower 3 > 1.5 cm, fringed near top
Fruit > 1.5 cm, > 2 cm wide; segments broadly ovate, deeply lobed
Ecology: Uncommon. Cool, often moist, shaded ravines, intermittent streams
Elevation: < 300 m.
Bioregional distribution: North Coast, San Francisco Bay Area, South Coast, s Channel Islands
Distribution outside California: native to S.America
Abundantly cultivated.

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