Practical
Plants

Impatiens capensis

Jewelweed

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
annual
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
1.2 m
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Self

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

Regular ingestion of large quantities of these plants can be dangerous due to their high mineral content[2]. 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[8].

Edible uses

The succulent stems, whilst still young and tender, can be cut up and cooked like green beans[3]. Young leaves and shoots - cooked. They contain calcium oxalate crystals[13]. Calcium oxalate is usually destroyed by thorough cooking[K]. Large quantities of the leaves are purgative[12]. See also the notes above on toxicity.

Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Seed
Plant part
Stem

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

Jewelweed was commonly used as a medicinal herb by a number of native North American Indian tribes[9], 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[10]. The herb is antidote, cathartic, diuretic and emetic[10][2][5][6]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of fevers, difficult urination, measles, stomach cramps, jaundice etc[9]. The juice of the leaves is used externally in the treatment of piles, fungal dermatitis, nettle stings, poison ivy rash, burns etc[10][2][5][6][9]. The sap is used to remove warts[5]. A poultice of the leaves is applied to bruises, burns, cuts etc[7].

Product or use
Antidote
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Stings
Product or use
Warts

Material uses

The fresh juice obtained from the plant is a fungicide. This juice can be concentrated by boiling it[13]. A yellow dye has been made from the flowers[10]. It can be made from the whole plant[9].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Fungicide

Environment

Range
N. America - Newfoundland to Saskatchewan. Naturalized in Britain.
Habitat
Along the banks of rivers and canals[11], also in low-lying moist woodlands, avoiding acid soils[13].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 2+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

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.

Cultivation

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][4]. Plants self-sow in areas where minimum winter temperatures go no lower than -15°c[4]. 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].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  5. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩1↩2

  7. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩

  8. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩

  9. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  11. Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5

    ↩

  12. Harris. B. C. Eat the Weeds. Pivot Health 1973-00-00

    ↩

  13. Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold 1982-00-00 ISBN 0442222009

    ↩1↩2↩3

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