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Tropaeolum majus
Nasturtium is from the latin words meaning literally “nose-twister” or “nose-tweaker” (referring to the pungent smell of some species!). The Tropaeolum Nasturtiums received their common name because they produce an oil that is similar to that produced by watercress (Nasturtium officinale).
Tropaeolum peregrinum
Tropaeolum includes several very popular garden plants, the most commonly grown being T. majus T. peregrinum and T. speciosum. The hardiest species is T. polyphyllum from Chile, the perennial roots of which can survive underground when air temperatures drop as low as −15 °C (5 °F).
Plants in this genus have showy, often intensely bright flowers (in reds, oranges and yellows), and rounded, shield- shaped leaves which vary in colour and include some attractive blue – green tones. Flowers have five petals (sometimes more) and a funnel-shaped nectar tube at the back. The name Tropaeolum is from the Latin tropaeum , meaning ‘trophy’ and was originally chosen by the swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century.
After victory in battle, the Romans used to set up a trophy pole called a tropaeum (from the Greek tropaion, source of the English word ‘trophy’). On this the armour and weapons of the vanquished foe were hung. Linnaeus was reminded of this by the plant as the round leaves resemble shields and the flowers, blood-stained helmets.
Tropaeolums in a border
T. aduncum = hooked (the flowers)
T. canariense = canary – referring to the colour and shape of the flowers (the ‘Canary Creeper’)
T. lobbianum = after Lobb the plant collector
T. majus = great (the Climbing Nasturtium)
T. minus = small (the Dwarf Nasturtium)
T. pentaphyllum = five leaved or divided into five
T. pergrinum = foreign or wandering, probably referring to its straggly growth
T. speciosum = showy
T. tuberosum = tuberous
‘Canary Creeper’ (T. canariense)
Nasturtiums were also known as “Indian cress”. This derived from their use as a salad ingredient and because at that time South/Central America was referred to as ‘the Indies’. The 16th-century herbalist John Gerard called the plant “Lark’s Heel”, referring to the flower’s spur (and similar to Larkspur).
All parts of T. majus are edible. The flower is most often eaten as an ornamental salad ingredient or in a stir fry; it has a slightly peppery taste reminiscent of watercress. The flowers contain about 130 milligrams of Vitamin C per 100 grams or about the same amount as in Parsley. The unripe seed pods can be harvested and dropped into spiced vinegar to produce a condiment and garnish, sometimes used in place of capers.
Tropaeolum leaves and flowers as salad ingredients
Nasturtiums have been used in herbal medicines for their antiseptic and expectorant qualities. They are said to be good for a chest cold and to promote well being by the formation of new blood cells. The common Nasturtium has been used in herbal medicine for respiratory and urinary tract infections.
The bright, quaintly – shaped flowers are usually freely produced on long stalks, and the fast growth of many of the climbers makes the Tropaeolum a very useful, decorative plant. They will spill beautifully over walls and onto paths, when used as edging plants. They also hold up very well in containers. Climbing varieties, such as ‘Canary Creeper’ will amble up and through shrubs. Bushy, ground hugging plants will fill in gaps among complementary – coloured day lilies and roses.
You can use clusters of plants to brighten up the vegetable garden – and to act as ‘sacrificial’ ‘plants to attract caterpillars away from your brassicas!
Sources and further information:
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There is disagreement about the number of distinct species (these range from 26 to more than 60 depending on who you ask) – as some are very similar and others have hybridised. All Narcissus cultivars are split into 13 divisions (using a combination of flower form and genetic background). New cultivars are registered by name and color with the Royal Horticultural Society, which is the international registration authority for the genus.
More than 27,000 names were registered as of 2008!
Narcissus flowers
The name “daffodil” is derived from an earlier word “affodell”, a variant of Asphodel (another group of Mediterranean plants). The reason for the addition of the initial “d” is not known, although it could be a ‘slip of the dutch tongue’ – the merging of the main word with the Dutch article “de”, as in “De affodil”. Playful synonyms “Daffadown Dilly”, “daffadown dilly”, and “daffydowndilly” appeared as early as the 16th century. Everyday use of the term Daffodil tends to refer to the wild daffodil (N. pseudonarcissus).
The name Narcissus comes from the same latin word, which in turn is based on an ancient greek word – but its meaning is unknown. It could be a word loaned from another language. The most common explanation is based on the Greek myth of Narcissus, a Thespian hunter renowned for his beauty. He became so obsessed with his own reflection in a pool of water that as he knelt and gazed into it, he fell into the water and drowned. Some variations of the myth say that he died of starvation and thirst. In both versions the Narcissus plant sprang from his remains. However, this is by no means a certain derivation and it could be the that the hunter’s name was derived from the flower rather than the other way round!
Another explanation for the name comes from Pliny who stated that the plant was named because of its narcotic properties (the greek word means ‘to grow numb’). There’s no evidence to support this idea and it seems to have fallen out of favour. However, all Narcissus species do contain the poison lycorine (mostly in the bulb but also in the leaves). The bulbs can often be confused with onions, thereby leading to incidents of accidental poisoning.
On 1 May 2009 a number of schoolchildren fell ill at Gorseland Primary School in Martlesham Heath, Suffolk, England, after a daffodil bulb was added to soup during a cookery class.
Another problem is what florists call, “daffodil itch” – a skin problem often found on the hands after contact with the plant’s sap. Some cultivars seem more likely to cause this kind of dermatitis; eg ‘Actaea’, ‘Camparelle’, ‘Gloriosa’, ‘Grande Monarque’, ‘Ornatus’, ‘Princeps’ and ‘Scilly White’.
Narcissus geranium
Cornwall Daffodils- traditionally the place (along with the Scilly Isles and Channel Islands) where early supplies of cut flowers are sent out to the rest of Britain.
N. bulbocodium = probably greek for ‘bulb’ (bolbos) and ‘a little fleece’ (kodion) – referring to the covering of the bulb – the ‘Hoop Petticoat Daffodil’
N. cyclamineus = like a Cyclamen flower
N. incomparabilis = incomparable
N. jonquilla = probably from ‘juncus’ (a rush) – the leaves being rush-like. The ‘Jonquil’
N. juncifolia = like Jonquil, rush – leaved!
N. major = larger
N. maximus = largest
N. minor = smaller
N. odorus = sweet-scented
N. poeticus = poet’s – the ‘Poets’ Narcissus’
N. pseudonarcissus = the false Narcissus. The ‘English Daffodil’
N. tazetta = an old name for the ‘Polyanthus Narcissus’
N. triandrus = having three stamens
Daffodil growing tips
Both species and hybrids are used extensively in gardens and grounds, looking good planted in borders or in naturalized drifts at the base of deciduous trees. Propagation is mainly from bulbs which are very easy to grow. They require little maintenance, but with some minimum care they can be more vigorous and floriferous, and they’ll multiply much more quickly, improving the show they provide each year. (see ‘Ten tips for looking after Daffodils’ above). Narcissus grows almost anywhere, although it does prefer well-drained soils with a sunny or light shade environment. The Narcissus species types are more specific in their requirements.
Naturalised Daffodils
Source and further information:
Kew Gardens- Narcissus pseudonarcissus
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Nigel Boldero aka 'Old School Gardener'
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