- A genus of cruciferous plants, having white or
yellowish flowers, including several species of cress. They are found
chiefly in wet or damp grounds, and have a pungent biting taste. - Any plant of the genus Tropaeolum, geraniaceous herbs,
having mostly climbing stems, peltate leaves, and spurred flowers, and
including the common Indian cress (Tropaeolum majus), the canary-bird
flower (T. peregrinum), and about thirty more species, all natives of
South America. The whole plant has a warm pungent flavor, and the
fleshy fruits are used as a substitute for capers, while the leaves and
flowers are sometimes used in salads.
Definition
[ n.]