Nasturtium, << nuh STUR shuhm, >> is the common name of a group of perennial plants native to tropical America. Nasturtium is a favorite garden flower of North America. There, it is a trailing or climbing annual that may reach about 10 feet (3 meters). Its blossoms are yellow, orange, or red. Gardeners also grow dwarf nasturtiums.
The nasturtium flower has an interesting structure. There are five small sepals (outer “petals”). The three upper ones form a long spur (hollow projection) that holds the nectar. There are also five petals inside the sepals. The three lower petals are set a little apart from the upper two and have long, fringed claws that reach into the spur. The long-stalked leaves are shaped like an umbrella. They have a spicy taste and are used in salads. The leaves also make an attractive light green background for the bright flowers.
Nasturtiums grow well from seeds sown outdoors in spring. They can also be potted in the early spring and transplanted in May. The plants cannot stand frost, but may be grown indoors in winter. Nasturtiums are easy to grow. They thrive best in bright sunlight. Small insects, called black aphids, often attack the plants and live on the underside of the leaves. The insects will destroy the nasturtium unless they are controlled with an insecticide. The name nasturtium is also given to the genus (group) of the water cress (see Cress ).
