tropaeolum majus

2 definitions found

tropaeolum majus - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Nasturtium \Nas*tur"tium\, n. [L. nasturtium, for nasitortium,
     fr. nasus nose + torquere, tortum, to twist, torture, in
     allusion to the causing one to make a wry face by its pungent
     taste. See Nose of the face, and Torture.]
     1. (Bot.) A genus of cruciferous plants, having white or
        yellowish flowers, including several species of cress.
        They are found chiefly in wet or damp grounds, and have a
        pungent biting taste.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Tropaeolum, geraniaceous
        herbs, having mostly climbing stems, peltate leaves, and
        spurred flowers, and including the common Indian cress
        (Tropaeolum majus), the canary-bird flower (Tropaeolum  peregrinum
        ), and about thirty more species, all natives
        of South America. The whole plant has a warm pungent
        flavor, and the fleshy fruits are used as a substitute for
        capers, while the leaves and flowers are sometimes used in
        salads.
        [1913 Webster]

tropaeolum majus - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  Tropaeolum majus
      n 1: strong-growing annual climber having large flowers of all
           shades of orange from orange-red to yellowish orange and
           seeds that are pickled and used like capers [syn: garden nasturtium
           , Indian cress, Tropaeolum majus]