TROPiEOLUM. 



171 



TROPiEOLUM. 



The leaves of the Tropaeolum resemble a buckler, 

 and the flowers an empty helmet, hence the name, 

 from tropaion, a trophy. They are natives of South 

 America, are extensively cultivated in gardens and 

 have long been a popular favorite. The seeds of 

 T. majus are pickled and used as capers, to which 

 they are preferred by some. The roots of T. tuber- 

 osum are eaten in Peru. The plant is sometimes 

 called Nasturtium or Indian Cress, and has the 

 same antiscorbutic properties as Water Cress, which 

 is one of the Nasturtiums. Some species of this 

 beautiful genus may be found alike in the costliest 

 conservatory and the poor man's garden. All the 

 varieties are of rapid growth and free bloomers, 

 none are destitute of some beauty, while the greater 

 number are remarkable for their bright, rich vel- 

 vety colors of yellow, orange and red. In 1842 

 T. axzreum, a beautiful blue, was discovered in 

 Chili. It had been supposed that there could not 

 be a blue flowering plant in the same class with 

 those of red, yellow or cognate colors. The dis- 

 covery of a blue Trapaeolum was, therefore, an ex- 

 traordinary event. 



Tropaeolums may be divided into three classes. 

 First, those with tuberous roots as Tropceolum 

 azureum. Second, those with large round leaves, 

 and large, showy, often coarse flowers, as the 

 varieties of T; opceolum majus. Third, those with 



