Nasturtium (genus)

This article is about the genus of watercresses. For the flowering plants of the genus Tropaeolum, commonly called nasturtiums, see Tropaeolum. For Other uses, see Nasturtium (disambiguation).
Nasturtium
Nasturtium microphyllum, a watercress, in Hawai'i
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Brassicales
Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Nasturtium
R. Br.
Species

Nasturtium /nəˈstɜr.ʃəm/ is a genus of seven plant species in the family Brassicaceae (cabbage family), best known for the edible watercresses Nasturtium microphyllum (Rorippa microphylla) and Nasturtium officinale (R. nasturtium-aquaticum). Nasturtium was previously synonymised with Rorippa, but molecular evidence supports its maintenance as a distinct genus more closely related to Cardamine than to Rorippa sensu stricto (Al-Shehbaz & Price, 1998; Al-Shehbaz, Beilstein & Kellogg, 2006).

These plants are related to garden cress and mustard, noteworthy for a peppery, tangy (pungent) flavor. The name Nasturtium comes from the Latin nasus tortus, meaning "twisted nose", in reference to the effect on the nasal passages of eating the plants. Nasturtium foliage is used as food by the caterpillars of certain Lepidoptera, including Orthonama obstipata (The Gem).

One species, Nasturtium gambelii, is a federally listed endangered species in the United States.

Nomenclature

The genus Nasturtium should not be confused with the flowering garden annual commonly known as nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus). Though not related, the leaves of the garden nasturtium also have a peppery taste.

Species list

One database names 316 species. [1]

References

  1. ↑ Plant Systematics: Nasturtium

Sources