Nasturtium
Nasturtium is a colorful flower from South America. Its flowers and leaves are edible and taste spicy. It is also used as medicine and to protect other plants from bugs.
What is it?
Nasturtium is a plant with bright flowers that can be yellow, orange, or red. Its leaves are shaped like shields. It originally comes from South America, especially Peru and Colombia. People grow it in gardens because it is beautiful and useful.
How old?
Nasturtium has been grown by people for hundreds of years. It was brought from South America to Europe in the 1500s. Since then, it has become a popular garden plant all over the world.
What was it like?
Nasturtium is a fast-growing plant that spreads along the ground or climbs. Its flowers are bright and attract bees and butterflies. The leaves and flowers have a peppery, spicy taste, a bit like radish.
Why does it matter?
Nasturtium is not just pretty. Its flowers and leaves can be eaten in salads. It also has medicinal uses: people use it to fight germs and reduce swelling. In gardens, it helps protect other plants by repelling pests like aphids. This is called companion planting.
Connections
Next to find
- Find another plant that has edible flowers.
- Look for a plant that is used in traditional medicine from a different continent.
- Try growing nasturtium in your garden and see if it keeps pests away.
旱金莲
旱金莲是一种来自南美洲的彩色花。它的花和叶子可以吃，味道辣。它也被用作药物，并保护其他植物免受虫子侵害。
这是什么？
旱金莲是一种开鲜艳花朵的植物，花可以是黄色、橙色或红色。它的叶子形状像盾牌。它原产于南美洲，特别是秘鲁和哥伦比亚。人们在花园里种植它，因为它既美丽又有用。
有多古老？
旱金莲已经被人们种植了几百年。它在16世纪从南美洲被带到欧洲。从那时起，它已成为世界各地流行的花园植物。
它是什么样的？
旱金莲是一种快速生长的植物，沿着地面蔓延或攀爬。它的花朵鲜艳，吸引蜜蜂和蝴蝶。叶子和花有胡椒般的辣味，有点像萝卜。
为什么重要？
旱金莲不仅漂亮。它的花和叶子可以放在沙拉里吃。它还有药用价值：人们用它来对抗细菌和减轻肿胀。在花园里，它通过驱赶蚜虫等害虫来保护其他植物。这叫做伴生种植。
联系
接下来找找看
- 找另一种有可食用花朵的植物。
- 找一种来自不同大洲、用于传统医学的植物。
- 试着在你的花园里种植旱金莲，看看它是否能驱赶害虫。