ON SOME FAMILIAR COMPOSITES 



and a perennial tree morning-glory, a native of 

 Texas, which bears very large light pink flowers 

 in abundance. Indeed the number of species from 

 which selection can be made is rather large, and 

 variation among them sufficient to give the experi- 

 ment in hybridizing exceptional interest. 



Another vine-like plant from South America 

 that has made its way into every garden is the 

 Tropaeolum, commonly known as the nasturtium. 



There are at least forty species of this tribe, 

 mostly climbing natives of Peru and Chile. One 

 of these, T. puberosum, produces spicy roots that 

 are highly prized as foods, and its seeds are some- 

 times used in salads under the name of Indian 

 cress. The seeds of the form familiar in our gar- 

 dens are sometimes pickled, and it is probable that 

 table products of greater value could be developed 

 from these plants if attention were paid to breed- 

 ing them with that idea in mind. 



Some of the nasturtiums are exceedingly tender 

 to the slightest chill, but they may grow in the 

 hottest and driest soil. 



My work with the nasturtiums has been done 

 with specimens sent from South America by my 

 collectors, representing eight or nine species. Some 

 of these have bulbs that remain dormant in the 

 ground for two or three years, and then sprout and 

 grow very fine vines that climb over the bushes. 



[185] 



