Tropaeolaceae

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A family of flowering plants primarily known for their bright and attractive blooms, commonly referred to as nasturtiums
2. A botanical group characterized by herbaceous or climbing plants, many of which are cultivated for ornamental use and culinary purposes
3. A diverse lineage of edible and ornamental plants distinguished by their round leaves and vibrant, funnel-shaped flowers, often found in gardens and landscapes

Etymology: Tropaeolaceae is a botanical family name, the scientific label for the family that includes the nasturtium. It is formed in the standard way for plant families: a genus name, "Tropaeolum," plus the suffix "-aceae," which marks a family in botanical Latin. The genus itself was named by Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century, and "tropaeolum" is the Latin word for a trophy, a victory monument made of captured armour. The name is a reference to the plant's shape: the round leaves look like shields, and the spurred flowers look like helmets, so the plant resembles a trophy set out on a battlefield. The Latin "tropaeolum" itself derives from "tropaeum," meaning a trophy, which in turn comes from Greek "tropaion," a monument built where an enemy had turned to flee. Greek "trepein," "to turn," lies behind the idea of the turning-away of the defeated army. So a word about a rout on the battlefield ended up naming a climbing garden plant with round leaves.

Synonyms: nasturtium family