What are the main morphological characteristics of nasturtium?
Nasturtium
Scientific name: tropaeolum majus l
Aliases: Jinlianhua, Dahongque
Morphological characteristics: A perennial slightly succulent herb of the genus Tropaeolum in the family Tropaeolaceae, often grown as an annual or biennial. Stems slender, semi-climbing or prostrate, grayish green, up to 1 sm long. Leaves alternate, nearly round, with long petioles, peltate. Flowers axillary, zygomorphic, pedicels very long; colors include milky white, pale yellow, orange-red, deep purple and reddish brown in varying shades, or bicolors with dark veining and spots; flowering period July-September (spring sowing), February-March (autumn sowing).
Nasturtium
Nasturtium
Morphological characteristics of nasturtium How to propagate nasturtium
Nasturtium is a rare wild plant of the genus Tropaeolum in the family Tropaeolaceae, an annual or perennial climbing plant. Plant height 30 cm-70 cm. Basal leaves have long petioles, leaf blades pentagonal, trisected, secondary segments with a few small lobes and sharp teeth. Flowers solitary or 2-3 in cymes, sepals 8-19, yellow, elliptic-obovate or obovate, petals equal in length to sepals, narrowly linear. Leaves plump and flowers beautiful, flower colors include purplish red, orange-red, creamy yellow, etc., the golden lotus vine stems twine, leaf shape like bowl lotus, when the creamy yellow flowers bloom, like a flock of butterflies dancing, it is an important summer ornamental flower. The flowers of nasturtium can be used as medicine. Its tender shoots, flower buds and fresh seeds can be used as a pungent seasoning.
Morphological characteristics of nasturtium
Stem
Nasturtium is a perennial grown as an annual, stems and leaves slightly succulent, herbaceous, semi-trailing, glabrous or sparsely hairy.
Leaves
The leaves of nasturtium are alternate; petiole 6-31 cm long, twisted upward, peltate, attached near the center of the leaf blade; leaf blade circular, 3-10 cm in diameter, with 9 main veins radiating in all directions from the point of petiole attachment, margin wavy and shallowly notched, abaxial surface usually sparsely hairy or with papillate dots.
Flowers
The flowers of nasturtium are solitary and axillary, pedicel 6-13 cm long; flowers yellow, purple, orange-red or variegated, 2.5-6 cm in diameter; receptacle cup-shaped; sepals 5, long elliptic-lanceolate, 1.5-2 cm long, 5-7 mm wide, connate at the base, margin membranous, one of them extended into a long spur, spur 2.5-3.5 cm long, acuminate; petals 5, usually rounded, margin notched, the upper 2 usually entire, 2.5-5 cm long, 1-1.8 cm wide, attached at the opening of the spur, the lower 3 narrowed at the base into a claw, margin ciliate near the claw; stamens 8, alternating in length, free; ovary 3-locular, style 1, stigma 3-lobed, linear.
Fruit
The fruit of nasturtium is oblate, splitting into 3 achenes each containing one seed when mature.
The flowering period of nasturtium is June-October, and the fruiting period is July-November. Chromosome x=6, 7.
Ecological habits of nasturtium
Nasturtium is not cold-tolerant, can endure short-term 0°C, prefers warmth and humidity, overwintering temperature above 10°C. It needs sunny, well-drained, fertile soil. It blooms in summer, flowering period February-May. Optimum growth temperature 18-24°C, it does not bloom easily at high summer temperatures, and growth is inhibited above 35°C. In the north it is often grown as an annual or biennial flower. Under suitable environmental conditions, it can bloom throughout the year. A single flower can last 8-9 days, and the whole plant can simultaneously open dozens of flowers, with a fragrant scent and brilliant colors, winning people's affection.
Propagation methods of nasturtium
Seed propagation
Generally the sowing period is March-June, called spring sowing. Flowering period August-December.
Sowing in late August or early September in autumn is also possible, called autumn sowing. This way nasturtium will bloom during New Year's Day and the Spring Festival.
Sowing and seedling raising: The optimum germination temperature is 18-20°C. Sow in spots, cover with about 1 cm of soil, water thoroughly and keep moist, germinating in 7 days. When there are 2-3 true leaves, pinch off the growing tip and pot up, properly arrange the leaves and branches to facilitate ventilation and expose the flowers.
Cuttage propagation
Cuttings are taken from April to June, selecting tender stems as cuttings, removing the lower leaves, shading after planting, maintaining humidity, rooting in 2-3 weeks. As the stems grow, bamboo strips should be used in time to set up a trellis and tie the branches and vines. Apply fertilizer once every 10-15 days, and maintain sufficient moisture and high air humidity throughout the growing period.
Each flower has 8 stamens and one pistil, among which the 8 stamens do not mature at the same time. And it is only after all the pollen has been dispersed that the pistil matures and extends to the trumpet-shaped opening of the flower.
Landscape uses of nasturtium
Nasturtium has plump leaves and beautiful flowers, the leaf shape like bowl lotus, when the creamy yellow flowers bloom, in the deep mountains of Chengde Bashang, there are large areas of natural wild golden lotus fields, in the season when nasturtium blooms, the flowers open in masses, the scenery is very spectacular, and like a flock of butterflies dancing, with unique charm. Potted plants can be used for indoor viewing or decorating balconies and windowsills.
Functions and uses of nasturtium
Beauty and skincare
It is said that nasturtium once made Empress Dowager Xiao's skin fine and white, and her appearance radiant, so it was called beauty-nourishing nasturtium and listed as a tribute to the imperial court. Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty once wrote a poem: "Far away from the desert, a lone root awaits appraisal, clear fragrance enters the railing, true color aligns with the heart, open and upright north of Anshan, uneven west of Jiuling, the scorching wind once sheltered from summer heat, so noble and pure that few can match." Among the people there is also a saying, "Rather taste three flowers than drink two liang of tea."
The flower language of nasturtium
The flower language of nasturtium: Love is everywhere, it's just that your heart is absent.
After reading the above introduction about the morphological characteristics and propagation methods of nasturtium, do you have a better understanding of the morphological characteristics and propagation methods of nasturtium? If you want to know more about nasturtium, please continue to follow.
Nasturtium
Nasturtium aliases
Hanhe, Hanhe, Jinlianhua, Hanlianhua, Jinxianlian, Hanjinlian, Dahongque
Morphological characteristics of nasturtium
Leaves plump and flowers beautiful, flower colors include purplish red, orange-red, creamy yellow, etc., the golden lotus vine stems twine, leaf shape like bowl lotus, when the creamy yellow flowers bloom, like a flock of butterflies dancing, it is an important ornamental flower.
Growth habits of nasturtium
It likes a mild climate and is not tolerant of severe cold or heat. The suitable growth temperature is 18 to 24 degrees Celsius. It can endure short-term 0°C, prefers warmth and humidity, overwintering temperature above 10°C.
It does not bloom easily at high summer temperatures, and growth is inhibited above 35°C.
In winter, spring and autumn it needs sufficient light; in summer potted plants should avoid blazing sun exposure.
Functions of nasturtium
Ornamental: Nasturtium has plump leaves and beautiful flowers, and is a rare potted ornament.
Medicinal: Clears heat and detoxifies. Used for conjunctivitis, carbuncles, boils and swellings.
Food: The family Tropaeolaceae eaten raw as a cold salad, with minced garlic, monosodium glutamate, sesame oil and other seasonings added, stirred a bit, it is perfect in color, aroma and taste!
The flower language of nasturtium
Love is everywhere, it's just that your heart is absent.