Indian cress

noun

1. a nasturtium, Tropaeolum majus, of South America, having red-spotted or red-striped, yellow-orange flowers, the young flower buds and fruits being used as seasoning.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Indian cress¹

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

Lark's′-heel, the Indian cress; Lark′spur, a plant with showy flowers, so called from the spur-shaped formation of calyx and petals.

From Project Gutenberg

A stone plinth with roses and Indian cress; and, in front, chrysanthemums and creepers, a lizard, two snails, and butterflies are the chief features of his Flowers.

From Project Gutenberg

Indian cress or Tropaeolum majus loses the spur in some double varieties and with it most of its symmetrical structure; it seems to be considered justly as a peloric malformation.

From Project Gutenberg

NASTURTIUMS.—The elegant nasturtium-plant, called by naturalists Tropoeolum, and which sometimes goes by the name of Indian cress, came originally from Peru, but was easily made to grow in these islands.

From Project Gutenberg