any of a genus (Tropaeolum of the family Tropaeolaceae, the nasturtium family) of herbs of Central and South America with showy spurred flowers and pungent edible seeds and leaves; especially : either of two widely cultivated ornamentals (T. majus and T. minus) (Merriam-Webster)

I came across this word in chapter one of quicksand: “on the shining brass bowl crowded with many-colored nasturtiums beside her”