Troostite

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

a variety of willemite, in large opaque occurring crystals, which are mostly impure from the presence of iron and manganese. Found with franklinite, etc., in the State of New Jersey. TROPÆOLACEÆ, Indian cresses; an order of hypogynous exogens, alliance Malvales; smooth, twisting or twining herbs of tender texture and acrid taste. Peduncles axillary, one-flowered. Sepals three to five, generally with valvate æstivation, the upper one with a long spur; petals normally five, yellow, scarlet, orange, rarely blue, sometimes reduced to two or even one, convolute in æstivation; stamens 6 to 10; anthers two-celled; style one; stigmas three to five; ovary one, three-cornered; three or five carpels; ovules solitary; fruit indehiscent; seeds large, without albumen, filling the cell in which they are. Known genera 5, species 43. All from the temperate parts of America. The order was formed by the elevation of the tribe Tropxolex; now most botanists are reverting to the old arrangement. TROPÆOLUM, in botany, the Indian cress, or nasturtium; the typical genus of Tropxolaceæ; calyx five-parted, the upper lobe spurred, petals normally five, unequal, the three lowest small or wanting; stamens eight, free; carpels three, kidney-shaped; fruit roundish, furrowed, indehiscent, the seed large, filling the cell; climbing plants from South America. Those best known are T. majus, the great, and T. minus, the small, Indian cress or nasturtium. The leaves of the first are peltate, nerved, orbicular, somewhat lobed, the nerves not mucronate; petals obtuse. It was brought at first from Peru. The second species is smaller than the last, with with peltate nerves, orbicular leaves, deep yellowish flowers, streaked with orange and red. The berries of both species are gathered when green and made into a pickle, and used also as a garnish for dishes. T. tricolorum is a highly ornamental species, having the calyx wavy, scarlet, tipped with black, and the petals yellow. T. canariense is a climbing variety known as the Canary creeper. Of late years florists have succeeded in obtaining endless varieties of colors of Tropæolum.