A group of flowering plants, Tropaeolum species, grown for their bright red, orange, and yellow blooms and round, lily-pad leaves. Both flowers and leaves are edible, with a peppery, watercress-like bite that enlivens salads, sandwiches, and garnishes. The unripe seed pods can be pickled as a substitute for capers. Nasturtiums are easy to grow, thriving in poor soil, and their vivid flowers make them popular in ornamental and kitchen gardens. They contain glucosinolates responsible for their pungency and modest amounts of vitamin C. As with all edible flowers, they should come from unsprayed plants grown for culinary use.