Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Nasturtium
Nas-tur′tium
,Noun.
1.
(Bot.)
A genus of cruciferous plants, having white or yellowish flowers, including several species of cress. They are found chiefly in wet or damp grounds, and have a pungent biting taste.
2.
(Bot.)
Any plant of the genus
Tropaeolum
, geraniaceous herbs, having mostly climbing stems, peltate leaves, and spurred flowers, and including the common Indian cress (Tropaeolum majus
), the canary-bird flower (Tropaeolum peregrinum
), and about thirty more species, all natives of South America
. The whole plant has a warm pungent flavor, and the fleshy fruits are used as a substitute for capers, while the leaves and flowers are sometimes used in salads.