Nasturtium (scientific name)

Nasturtium is a genus of one species: Nasturtium gambellii (S. Wats.) O. Schulz in the family Brassicaceae, or cabbage family. Six species formally listed here have been moved into Rorippa (ITIS, 2004). These plants are related to garden cress and mustard, all noteworthy for a peppery, tangy (pungent) flavor and the name comes from the Latin, nasus tortus, meaning "twisted nose", in reference to the effect on the nasal passages of eating the plants.

The genus Nasturtium is not related to the plants in the genus Tropaeolum (Tropaeolaceae), popularly known as "Nasturtiums".

Reference

• ITIS (home page) (visited October 2004)