NASTURTIUM. 375 



sorts may be shortened in, which will induce a strong, 

 stocky habit of growth. 



While the plants are young, they will require some atten- 

 tion in order that they may be properly attached to the stakes 

 or trellises provided for their support ; after which little care 

 need be bestowed, beyond the ordinary stirring of the soil, 

 and keeping the ground free from weeds. 



Use. The unexpanded flower-buds, and the seeds while 

 young and succulent, have a warm, aromatic taste, and are 

 pickled and used as capers. The young shoots are eaten as 

 salad, and the flowers, which are large and richly colored, 

 are used for garnishing. Few ornamental plants are better 

 known or more generally cultivated than the Nasturtium. 



The species and varieties are as follow : 



Stem from six to eight feet high, succulent ; Tall Nastur- 

 tium, 

 leaves alternate, smooth, rounded, the leaf- TROP.*OLUM 



MA.JUS. 



stems being attached to the disk, or under sur- 

 face ; flowers large, on long stems, yellow, the two upper 

 petals streaked and marked with purple ; the seeds are large, 

 somewhat triangular, convex on one of the sides, of a drab 

 or pale brown color, and retain their germinative properties 

 five years. From a hundred and eighty to two hundred are 

 contained in an ounce. 



A variety of the preceding, differing only in Dark-flower- 

 the brown color of the flowers. Cultivation 

 and uses the same. 



Also a sub-variety of the Tall Nasturtium, Variegated, 

 with orange-yellow flowers ; each of the petals being stained 

 or spotted with purple. 



Other varieties occur, differing in color, but equally useful 

 for the purposes before described. 



