Tropaeolum polyphyllum

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: Core eudicots
Cladus: Rosids
Cladus: Eurosids II
Ordo: Brassicales

Familia: Tropaeolaceae
Genus: Tropaeolum
Sectio: T. sect. Chilensia
Species: Tropaeolum polyphyllum
Name

Tropaeolum polyphyllum Cav. (1797)
Synonyms

Homotypic
Chymocarpus polyphyllus (Cav.) Heynh., Nomencl. Bot. Hort. 1: 195. 1840.
Trophaeum polyphyllum (Cav.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 1: 97. 1891.

Heterotypic
Tropaeolum floribundum Turcz., Bull. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou 31: 426. 1858.
Tropaeolum nubigenum Phil., Linnaea 33: 34. 1864.
Tropaeolum paniculatum Meyen, Reise Erde 1: 314, 342. 1834, nom. inval.
Tropaeolum polyphyllum var. brevicaule Poepp. & Endl., Nov. Gen. Sp. Pl. 1: 24. 1835.
Tropaeolum prostratum Miers, Travels in Chile and La Plata 2 531. 1826, nom. inval.
Trophaeum floribundum (Turcz.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 1: 97. 1891.
Trophaeum nubigenum (Phil.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 1: 97. 1891.

References

Cavanilles, A.J. 1797: Icon. 4(2): 65, t. 395.
Tropicos.org 2013. Tropaeolum polyphyllum. Missouri Botanical Garden. Published on the internet. Accessed: 02 Sep 2013.
USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Tropaeolum polyphyllum in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Accessed: 09-Oct-10.

Tropaeolum polyphyllum is a species of flowering plant in the nasturtium family Tropaeolaceae. It is endemic to mountainous regions of Chile and Argentina where it is called in Spanish soldadito grande de la cordillera (great soldier of the mountains).

Description

This herbaceous perennial overwinters as a tuber deep in the soil. It sends out long rhizomes from which shoots develop which trail over the ground. These are densely covered with silvery green, deeply lobed leaves. The flower buds have inflated pale green calyces and the sepals are extended backwards into a short spur. The relatively large and showy flowers are borne on long slender stalks and are golden yellow. After flowering, which takes place in mid-summer, the shoots die back and the plant remains dormant until the following year.[1]
Distribution and habitat

Tropaeolum polyphyllum is endemic to the central Andes in Chile and Argentina where it grows at heights of up to 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) above sea level. Its typical habitat is among scantily vegetated stony ground or on scree where it forms small hummocks of grey-green foliage studded with yellow flowers.[2] In this area, summer droughts may last for several months and what precipitation there is, falls mainly in the winter.[3] The plant has small, rounded tubers which are buried deep in the ground and which enable it to survive being covered with snow for several months and withstand temperatures down to −20 °C (−4 °F).[3]
Cultivation

Tropaeolum polyphyllum needs full sun and neutral or slightly acid, well drained soil. It grows well on hot, dry banks and is hardy when fully established. Propagate from tubers or by seed. The seeds should be sown in the spring in well-drained compost and covered with 1 to 2 cm (0.4 to 0.8 in) of sand. The containers should be kept at below 4 °C (39 °F) until the seedlings appear in about a month. Too high a temperature inhibits germination.[4] The USDA Hardiness Zone is 7.[3]
References

Perry, Frances (1972). Flowers of the World. The Hamlyn Publishing Group Ltd. p. 300. ISBN 060001634X.
"Tropaeolum polyphyllum". Rareplants.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-06-23.
Michail Belov (2005–2009). "Tropaeolum polyphyllum". ChileFlora. Retrieved 2012-06-23.
"Tropaeolum". Pacific Bulb Society. Retrieved 2012-06-23.