TROPAEOLUM TUBEROSUM

This member of the Tropaeolaceae family was given this name by Hipólito Ruiz López and José Antonio Pavón in 1802. It is found in the heights of Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, growing in a drained soil with some to lots of water and some to lots of sun. The caudex can grow to four centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to two or even four metres in height. The flowers are dark orange and yellow.

The genera name is the diminutive of trophy; given by Carl Linnaeus, who chose the genus name because the plant reminded him of an ancient custom: After victory in battle, the Romans erected a trophy pole (or tropaeum, from the Greek tropaion, source of English "trophy") on which the vanquished foe's armour and weapons were hung. The species is named for the tuberous roots.