Impatiens occidentalis -

Family:	Balsaminaceae
Habit:	Annual
Synonyms:
Range:	Western N. America.

Impatiens occidentalis () is a Annual. It has a hardness rating of 0.
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Impatiens occidentalis 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
Impatiens occidentalis prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Impatiens occidentalis can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Moist woods[60].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge

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 site[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]. This species is probably part of I. noli-tangere[60].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 3/5
Young shoots - cooked in one change of water[172]. See the notes above on toxicity. Seed - raw or cooked[172]. They are tedious to collect in quantity[172], mainly because of their exploding seed capsules which scatter the ripe seed at the slightest touch[K].

• Leaves -
• Seed - includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
Antidote, parasiticide. Used in the treatment of warts, ringworm, nettle stings, poison ivy rash etc[172].

• Antidote - Counters poisoning.
• Parasiticide - Treats external parasites such as ringworm This should perhaps be joined with Parasiticide in 'Other Uses'.
• 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

A yellow dye is obtained from the plant[172]. No more details are given. Used as a hair rinse for itchy scalps[172]. No more details are given. A fungicide is obtained from the plant[172]. No more details are given, but it is likely to be the juice of the plant that is used.

• Dye - Plants that provide dyes.
• Fungicide - Arrests the growth of, or kills, fungi.
• Hair - Plants used as hair shampoos, tonics, to treat balding etc.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest.
Hitchcock. C. L.
Author: Hitchcock. C. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A standard flora for Western N. America with lots of information on habitat etc. Five large volumes, it is not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1955

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