Tropaeolum majus
Garden nasturtium
(c) Antonio W. Salas, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Tropaeolaceae · Type: Vine · Not Native
Tropaeolum majus (Garden nasturtium) is a non-native California vine in the Tropaeolaceae family, recognized by Only member of family Tropaeolaceae in California; distinctive peltate leaves and spurred flowers.
Garden nasturtium is a naturalized perennial found in northern coastal, central coastal, San Francisco Bay, southern coastal, and southern Channel Islands bioregions in disturbed areas, moist or shaded coastal scrub, and wooded flats or slopes at elevations below 450 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces vibrant orange or yellow flowers with orange markings, 2.5 to 6 centimeters in diameter and featuring a distinctive nectar spur over 3 centimeters long. Growing with trailing or climbing stems over 1 meter in length, it spreads across the landscape with remarkable vigor. Its round to kidney-shaped leaves have distinctive palmate veining and petioles 5 to 25 centimeters long, creating a lush green backdrop for the brilliant blooms. The fruit develops as broadly ovate segments more than 1.5 centimeters long and over 2 centimeters wide, with deeply lobed structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only member of family Tropaeolaceae in California; distinctive peltate leaves and spurred flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas, moist or shaded areas in coastal scrub, wooded flats or slopes
Elevation: < 450 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Ventura, San Diego, Monterey, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Orange, Santa Clara, Santa Barbara, Kern, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Alameda, Humboldt, Mendocino
Outside California: Abundantly cultivated, often naturalized
Bloom period
Tropaeolum majus blooms Mar-Jun.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tropaeolum majus native to California?
No. Tropaeolum majus is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Tropaeolum majus bloom?
Tropaeolum majus blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Tropaeolum majus grow?
Tropaeolum majus occurs in Los Angeles, Ventura, San Diego, Monterey, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Orange, Santa Clara and other counties, at elevations of < 450 m.
What plant family does Tropaeolum majus belong to?
Tropaeolum majus is in the Tropaeolaceae family, genus Tropaeolum.
What habitat does Tropaeolum majus grow in?
Tropaeolum majus grows in Disturbed areas, moist or shaded areas in coastal scrub, wooded flats or slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.