The Botanical Magazine/Volume 1/23
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Tropæolum majus. Greater Indian-Cress, or Nasturtium.
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Class and Order.
Octandria Monogynia.
Generic Character.
Specific Character and Synonyms.
The present plant is a native of Peru, and is said by Linnæus to have been first brought into Europe in the year 1684; it is certainly one of the greatest ornaments the Flower-Garden can boast: it varies in colour, and is also found in the Nurseries with double flowers. The former, as is well known, is propagated by seed; the latter by cuttings, which should be struck on a hot-bed. To have these plants early, they should be raised with other tender annuals; they usually begin to flower in July, and continue blossoming till the approach of winter: the stalks require to be supported, for if left to themselves they trail on the ground, overspread, and destroy the neighbouring plants.
Elizabeth Christina, one of the daughters of Linnæus, is said to have perceived the flowers to emit spontaneously, at certain intervals, sparks like those of electricity, visible only in the dusk of the evening, and which ceased when total darkness came on.
The flowers have the taste of water-cress, with a degree of sweetness, which that plant does not possess, more particularly resident in the spur of the calyx or nectary; hence are sometimes used in salads, and hence the plant acquires its name of Nasturtium.
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