STERSION. 155 



INDIAN CRESS, STERSION. 



(NASTURTIUM.) 



" Then springs the living herb, profusely wild, 

 O'er all the deep green earth, beyond the power 

 Of botanist to number up their tribes; 

 Whether he steals along the lonely dale, 

 In silent search ; or through the forest, rank 

 With what the dull incurious weeds account, 

 Burst his blind way; or climb the mountain rock. 

 Fired by the nodding verdure of its brow; 

 With liberal hand has nature flung 

 Their seeds abroad." 



This very useful plant has been under cultivation two or 

 three hundred years, and was first discovered in Peru. It 

 is known there as the Mastraco de Peru, and with us by 

 the common name of Stersion. The first account we have 

 of this species, is under the botanical name of Tropceolum 

 major and minor. It was cultivated for salad, possessing a 

 warm flavor, not unlike our common cress ; from this alone 

 arose the name of Nasturtium. The berries were used for 

 pickles, gathered when young and tender, and by many 

 considered equal to Capers. Of late it has been more cul- 

 tivated for its flowers than for other purposes. The most 

 common of this species is the yellow, the first introduced for 

 cultivation. We have now added to the list, an orange 

 color ; a blood-red, very rich in appearance ; a new spotted, 

 so termed by florists, but in reality striped ; orange scarlet 

 color, and sweet scented, which makes the variety desirable 



