Bot. Pl. -a (and in Eng. form -ums). [mod.L. (Linnæus, 1737), f. Gr. τρόπαιον trophy; so called from the resemblance of the leaf to a shield and the flower to a helmet.] A South American genus of herbs (N.O. Tropæolaceæ or Geraniaceæ), mostly of trailing or climbing habit, with irregular spurred flowers, usually deep orange or yellow; several species are cultivated as ornamental plants, and are commonly called Indian Cress, and (erroneously) Nasturtium.
1785. Martyn, Rousseau’s Bot., xxxi. (1794), 48. The nectary is found on the calyx in Tropæolum.
1815. J. Scott, Vis. Paris (ed. 2), App. 287. The hedges are interlaced with twining Tropæola, Passion flowers, and Convolvuli.
1866. Treas. Bot., 1178/1. The Tropæolums are remarkable for possessing an acrid taste, similar to that which exists among the Cruciferæ.
1901. J. Black’s Carp. & Build., Home Handicr., 45. Passion flowers, convolvuluses, and tropæolums running up and around the window.
