97 Species of Genus Tropaeolum

My Love Affair with Nasturtiums: A Deep Dive into the Genus Tropaeolum

I’ve always been drawn to the vibrant and cheerful nasturtium, a flower that seems to embody the very essence of summer. Its round, shield-like leaves and fiery blossoms bring a touch of whimsy to any garden. But it wasn’t until recently that I truly delved into the fascinating world of Tropaeolum, the genus to which this beloved plant belongs.

Tropaeolum is a genus of roughly 97 species of annual and perennial herbaceous flowering plants, native to South and Central America. They’re known for their distinctive spurred flowers and peltate leaves – leaves where the petiole attaches to the underside of the leaf, rather than the edge, giving them a shield-like appearance. This unique characteristic, along with their vibrant colors, makes them a favorite among gardeners and botanists alike.  

A Riot of Color and Form: Exploring the Species

The diversity within the Tropaeolum genus is truly remarkable. From the climbing vines of Tropaeolum majus, the common garden nasturtium, to the tuberous roots of Tropaeolum tuberosum, commonly known as mashua, there’s a nasturtium to suit every taste and garden.

Here are species that make up this diverse genus:

1. Tropaeolum adpressum Hughes
2. Tropaeolum argentinum Buchenau
3. Tropaeolum asplundii Sparre
4. Tropaeolum atrocapillare Sparre
5. Tropaeolum austropurpureum (J.M.Watson & A.R.Flores) J.M.Watson & A.R.Flores
6. Tropaeolum azureum Bertero ex Colla
7. Tropaeolum beuthii Klotzsch
8. Tropaeolum bicolor Ruiz & Pav.
9. Tropaeolum boliviense Loes.
10. Tropaeolum brachyceras Hook. & Arn.
11. Tropaeolum brasiliense Casar.
12. Tropaeolum brideanum Sparre
13. Tropaeolum calcaratum Sparre
14. Tropaeolum calvum (J.F.Macbr.) Sparre
15. Tropaeolum capillare Buchenau
16. Tropaeolum carchense Killip ex Sparre
17. Tropaeolum ciliatum Ruiz & Pav.
18. Tropaeolum cirrhipes Hook.
19. Tropaeolum cochabambae Buchenau
20. Tropaeolum crenatiflorum Hook.
21. Tropaeolum curvirostre Sparre
22. Tropaeolum cuspidatum Buchenau
23. Tropaeolum deckerianum Moritz & H.Karst.
24. Tropaeolum dipetalum Ruiz & Pav.
25. Tropaeolum elzae Sparre
26. Tropaeolum emarginatum Turcz.
27. Tropaeolum ferreyrae Sparre
28. Tropaeolum fintelmannii Schltdl.
29. Tropaeolum flavipilum Killip
30. Tropaeolum garciae Sparre
31. Tropaeolum harlingii Sparre
32. Tropaeolum haynianum Bernh.
33. Tropaeolum hirsutum Sparre
34. Tropaeolum hirtifolium Hughes
35. Tropaeolum hjertingii Sparre
36. Tropaeolum hookerianum Barnéoud
37. Tropaeolum huigrense Killip
38. Tropaeolum incisum (Speg.) Sparre
39. Tropaeolum × jilesii Sparre
40. Tropaeolum kerneisinum Hughes
41. Tropaeolum kieslingii Bulacio
42. Tropaeolum kingii Phil.
43. Tropaeolum kuntzeanum Buchenau
44. Tropaeolum lasseri Sparre
45. Tropaeolum leonis Sparre
46. Tropaeolum lepidum Phil. ex Buchenau
47. Tropaeolum leptophyllum G.Don
48. Tropaeolum lindenii Wallis
49. Tropaeolum longiflorum Killip
50. Tropaeolum longifolium Turcz.
51. Tropaeolum looseri Sparre
52. Tropaeolum magnificum Sparre
53. Tropaeolum majus L.
54. Tropaeolum mexiae Killip ex Sparre
55. Tropaeolum meyeri Sparre
56. Tropaeolum minus L.
57. Tropaeolum moritzianum Klotzsch
58. Tropaeolum myriophyllum (Poepp. & Endl.) Sparre
59. Tropaeolum nubigenum Phil.
60. Tropaeolum nuptae-jucundae Sparre
61. Tropaeolum orinocense P.E.Berry
62. Tropaeolum orthoceras Gardner
63. Tropaeolum × oxalianthum C.Morren
64. Tropaeolum papillosum Hughes
65. Tropaeolum parvifolium Hughes
66. Tropaeolum patagonicum Speg.
67. Tropaeolum pellucidum Sparre
68. Tropaeolum peltophorum Benth.
69. Tropaeolum pendulum Klotzsch
70. Tropaeolum pentagonum Hughes
71. Tropaeolum pentaphyllum Lam.
72. Tropaeolum peregrinum L.
73. Tropaeolum polyphyllum Cav.
74. Tropaeolum porifolium (Cav.) L.Andersson & S.Andersson
75. Tropaeolum pubescens Kunth
76. Tropaeolum purpureum Killip
77. Tropaeolum repandum Heilb.
78. Tropaeolum rhomboideum Lem.
79. Tropaeolum sanctae-catharinae Sparre
80. Tropaeolum seemannii Buchenau
81. Tropaeolum sessilifolium Poepp. & Endl.
82. Tropaeolum slanisii Bulacio
83. Tropaeolum smithii DC.
84. Tropaeolum sparrei B.Ståhl
85. Tropaeolum speciosum Poepp. & Endl.
86. Tropaeolum steyermarkianum Sparre
87. Tropaeolum stipulatum Buchenau & Sodiro
88. Tropaeolum × tenuirostre Steud.
89. Tropaeolum traceyae Hughes
90. Tropaeolum trialatum (Suess.) L.Andersson & S.Andersson
91. Tropaeolum tricolor Sweet
92. Tropaeolum trilobum Turcz.
93. Tropaeolum tuberosum Ruiz & Pav.
94. Tropaeolum umbellatum Hook.
95. Tropaeolum wagnerianum H.Karst. ex Klotzsch
96. Tropaeolum warmingianum Rohrb.
97. Tropaeolum willinkii Sparre

More Than Just a Pretty Face: The Nasturtium’s Many Uses

While nasturtiums are undoubtedly admired for their ornamental value, they also boast a surprising number of practical uses. Both the flowers and leaves are edible, adding a peppery zing to salads and other dishes. The unripe seed pods can be pickled and used as a substitute for capers.

Beyond culinary applications, nasturtiums have a history of use in traditional medicine. They possess antibacterial and antifungal properties, and have been used to treat respiratory ailments and skin infections.

Interestingly, nasturtiums also play a role in companion planting. Their strong scent is said to deter pests, making them beneficial companions for vegetables like cucumbers and tomatoes. They also attract beneficial insects, such as hoverflies, which prey on aphids.

My Personal Connection to Tropaeolum

My own fascination with nasturtiums began in my grandmother’s garden. I remember spending countless hours as a child, mesmerized by the vibrant blossoms and the way the leaves seemed to catch the sunlight. She would often use the flowers to garnish salads, and I was always delighted by their peppery bite.

Now, years later, I cultivate my own collection of nasturtiums, each one a reminder of those happy childhood days. I’ve come to appreciate not only their beauty but also their resilience and versatility. They thrive in a variety of conditions, requiring minimal care while providing maximum impact.

Whether cascading from a hanging basket, climbing a trellis, or adding a splash of color to a vegetable garden, nasturtiums bring a sense of joy and wonder to any space they inhabit. They are a testament to the beauty and bounty of the natural world, and a constant source of inspiration for me.

As I continue to explore the world of Tropaeolum, I’m constantly amazed by the diversity and adaptability of this remarkable genus. From the Andes Mountains to my own backyard, nasturtiums continue to thrive, bringing their vibrant colors and unique charm to gardens around the world. And I, for one, am grateful for their presence.