SAMARA:
Nasturtium flower - Tropaeolum
Lovely cheerful, vibrant colour for a cold, dull day!
These sunny, wonderful little flowers originated in South America and were widely used by the Meso-Americans for urinary tract infections, kidney problems and for their general antibiotic action.
The leaves were used to prevent scurvy and to supplement the daily diet and add flavour. The peppery leaves were very popular and the seeds were a prized delicacy.
In fact, they were considered so important that no little home was without a nasturtium plant if they could avoid it. The plants are also so undemanding that they were perfect for the rocky soil of the Andes.
In the 1600's in England, Nasturtiums were a valued plant and were called Indian Cress (Because of their similarity in flavuor to Watercress.)
Wherever they have been introduced, these plants have quickly become a firm favourite because of their medicinal and culinary uses.
Nasturtium flower - Tropaeolum
Lovely cheerful, vibrant colour for a cold, dull day!
These sunny, wonderful little flowers originated in South America and were widely used by the Meso-Americans for urinary tract infections, kidney problems and for their general antibiotic action.
The leaves were used to prevent scurvy and to supplement the daily diet and add flavour. The peppery leaves were very popular and the seeds were a prized delicacy.
In fact, they were considered so important that no little home was without a nasturtium plant if they could avoid it. The plants are also so undemanding that they were perfect for the rocky soil of the Andes.
In the 1600's in England, Nasturtiums were a valued plant and were called Indian Cress (Because of their similarity in flavuor to Watercress.)
Wherever they have been introduced, these plants have quickly become a firm favourite because of their medicinal and culinary uses.