I found this mystical little dragon at the Denver Botanical Garden on September 14, 2021. While the common name of this flower is flame flower or flame nasturtium, I called it the Flower Dragon because its appearance and essence gave rise to the image of a Chinese mythological dragon. When I first saw this flower, I sensed the essence of a living being. Using your imagination, look for a yellow snout-like face between the top two flaming red petals, which look like winged ears on the side of the snout. On the yellow snout, there are two red dot eyes and a red dot nose on tip. Under the snout, there are four little arm-like stamen reaching out. This flame nasturtium is one of my favorite flowers. It has the essence of strength, courage, fiery passion, strong will power, and protection.
The scientific name of the flame nasturtium is Tropaeolum speciosum. There are eighty different species of the flower genus Tropaeolum. The flower is a native of South America, particularly Chile. The more common species is Tropaeolum majus, as found in most nurseries and gardens. Generally, these flowers are known as garden nasturtiums. They are also commonly called the monks cress or Indian Cress. The flame nasturtium differs the garden nasturtium in that the edges of the petals are more spiked rather than rounded. Also, the central body of the flower is more prominently exposed with more differentiated parts, whereas the center of the garden nasturtium has an internalized concave center that looks like a hidden cathedral (see image below).
The photo of the garden nasturtium (on the left) was taken in the gardens of Lucia, along the central coast of California along highway one, before the devastating fire that destroyed the town.
Most nasturtiums are usually red, yellow and orange color patterns. Nasturtiums are also edible and nutritious. There are many nasturtiums salad recipes that include both the stems and flowers, which have a peppery or mustard taste.
Nastriutums are also used in gardens as a companion plant to beans, broccoli, cabbage, cucumber, kale, melons, pumpkins and radishes. Their valuable function in the garden is to draw aphids and other pests away from their companion plants.