Tropaeolum pentaphyllum

Lam.

Five-leaved nasturtium

Tropaeolaceae Edible: Leaves, Fruit, Spice, Tuber, Flowers 496 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Tropaeolum pentaphyllum is a species of perennial plant in the nasturtium family Tropaeolaceae. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

Description

A climber with tuberous roots. It keeps growing from year to year. It can grow 6 m high and spread 6 m wide. The leaves are small and have 5 lobes. The leaf stalks are purple. The flowers are red and tube shaped. They occur in groups. They hang down. The fruit has 3 lobes and is a black juicy berry. It is edible.

Edible Uses

The leaves, flowers, fruit, tubers, and seeds (used as a spice) are all edible.

Distribution

It is a warm temperate plant. It will grow in most soils and positions. It is resistant to drought and frost. In Argentina it grows below 700 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 8-11.

Where It Grows

Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, South America*, Tasmania, Uruguay,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown by seed.

Also Known As

Batata-crem, Capuchinha, Crem, Crem-de-cipo, Lady's legs, Pititos

References (8)

Brazil: Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition. http://www.b4fn.org/countries/brazil/
Coradin, L. et al (Eds), 2011, Especies Nativas da Flora Brasileira de Valor Economico Atual ou Potencial. Brasilia MMA. p 243
Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1434
Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 661
Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 302

Show all 8 references

Hunter, D., et al, 2019, The potential of neglected and underutilized species for improving diets and nutrition. Planta (2019) 250:709-729
Kinupp, V. F., 2007, Plantas alimenticias nao-convencionais da regiao metropolitana de Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil p 104
Ryan, S., 2008, Dicksonia. Rare Plants Manual. Hyland House. p 79