Impatiens capensis - Jewelweed

Family:	Balsaminaceae
Habit:	Annual
Height:	1.2
Synonyms:	I. biflora. I. fulva.
Range:	N. America - Newfoundland to Saskatchewan. Naturalized in Britain.

Impatiens capensis (Jewelweed) is a Annual which grows to a height of 1.2m . It has a fast growth rate. It has a hardness rating of 2.
Jewelweed will flower in January to April. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees, self

Soil Information

Jewelweed will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Jewelweed prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Jewelweed can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Along the banks of rivers and canals[5], also in low-lying moist woodlands, avoiding acid soils[62].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in any reasonably good soil[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a moist well-drained humus rich soil in a cool shady site[1, 200]. Plants self-sow in areas where minimum winter temperatures go no lower than -15°c[200]. This plant has seed capsules that spring open forcibly as the seed ripens to eject the seed a considerable distance. The capsules are sensitive to touch even before the seed is ripe, making seed collection difficult but fun[K].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 3/5
The succulent stems, whilst still young and tender, can be cut up and cooked like green beans[183]. Young leaves and shoots - cooked. They contain calcium oxalate crystals[62]. Calcium oxalate is usually destroyed by thorough cooking[K]. Large quantities of the leaves are purgative[55]. See also the notes above on toxicity.

• Leaves -
• Seed - includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
• Stem - this often intergrades into leaves.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
Jewelweed was commonly used as a medicinal herb by a number of native North American Indian tribes[257], and has been widely used in domestic medicine. Its main value lies in its external application for wounds and a range of skin complaints. However, it is little used in modern herbalism and is considered to be dangerous and 'wholly questionable' when used internally[4]. The herb is antidote, cathartic, diuretic and emetic[4, 172, 207, 213]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of fevers, difficult urination, measles, stomach cramps, jaundice etc[257]. The juice of the leaves is used externally in the treatment of piles, fungal dermatitis, nettle stings, poison ivy rash, burns etc[4, 172, 207, 213, 257]. The sap is used to remove warts[207]. A poultice of the leaves is applied to bruises, burns, cuts etc[222].

• Antidote - Counters poisoning.
• Poultice - A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.
• Stings - Used in the treatment of stings and insect bites.
• Warts - Used in the treatment of warts, corns etc.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.

Known Hazards

Regular ingestion of large quantities of these plants can be dangerous due to their high mineral content[172]. This report, which seems nonsensical, might refer to calcium oxalate. This mineral is found in I. capensis and so is probably also in other members of the genus. It can be harmful raw but is destroyed by thoroughly cooking or drying the plant[K]. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones and hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet[238].

Other Uses

The fresh juice obtained from the plant is a fungicide. This juice can be concentrated by boiling it[62]. A yellow dye has been made from the flowers[4]. It can be made from the whole plant[257].

• Dye - Plants that provide dyes.
• Fungicide - Arrests the growth of, or kills, fungi.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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