Nose twister, nasturtium

  

Tropaeolum /trəˈpiːələm, troʊ-/, 

 commonly known as nasturtium (/nəˈstɜːrʃəm, næ-/; 

literally "nose-twister" or "nose-tweaker"), is a genus of roughly 80 species of annual and perennial herbaceous flowering plants. It was named by Carl Linnaeus in his book Species Plantarum, and is the only genus in the family Tropaeolaceae. The nasturtiums received their common name because they produce an oil similar to that of watercress (Nasturtium officinale). 

One of the hardiest species is T. polyphyllum from Chile, the perennial roots of which can survive the winter underground at elevations of 3,300 metres (11,000 ft). 

After victory in battle, the Romans erected a trophy pole (or tropaeum, from the Greek tropaion, source of English "trophy") on which the vanquished foe's armour and weapons were hung. The plant's round leaves reminded Linnaeus of shields and its flowers of blood-stained helmets. 

All parts of Tropaeolum majus are edible. The flower has most often been consumed, making for an especially ornamental salad ingredient; it has a slightly peppery taste reminiscent of watercress and is also used in stir fry. 

 The flowers contain about 130 mg vitamin C per 100 grams (3+1⁄2 oz),[25] about the same amount as is contained in parsley. 

 Moreover, they contain up to 45 mg of lutein per 100 g, which is the highest amount found in any edible plant.  

The unripe seed pods can be harvested and dropped into spiced vinegar to produce a condiment and garnish, sometimes used in place of capers.

Mashua (T. tuberosum) produces an edible underground tuber that is a major food source in parts of the Andes. 

T. majus has been used in herbal medicine for respiratory and urinary tract infections. 

In Germany, licensed physicians can prescribe the herbal antibiotic Angocin Anti-Infekt N, made from only nasturtium and horseradish root. "

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropaeolum