Indian cress

Indian cress is a common name for several plants and may refer to:

• Tropaeolum majus, a plant species native to South and Central America
• Tropaeolum minus, a plant species native to South America

Description

The Indian cress or Tropaeolum majus is a flowering plant in the family Tropaeolaceae, native to the Andes from Bolivia north to Colombia. The plant is herbaceous, perennial, with trailing stems growing to 1 meter long. The leaves are large, nearly circular, 3 to 15 cm diameter, green with white or light green veins, and are peltate, with the petiole in the middle of the leaf. The flowers are 2.5 to 6 cm diameter, with five petals, eight stamens, and a 2.5 to 3 cm long nectar spur at the back, from which it derives one of its alternative names, "spurflower". The fruit is 2 cm broad, three-segmented, each segment with a single large seed 1–1.5 cm long.

Cultivation and uses

Indian cress is widely cultivated for its flowers. It is a popular garden plant, and has been used in herbal medicine. The flowers and leaves are edible, with a peppery flavor similar to watercress. The seeds are also edible, and can be used as a caper substitute.

See also

• List of plants with edible flowers
• List of companion plants

References

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External links

• Plants For A Future: Tropaeolum majus
• Floridata: Tropaeolum majus

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