wildflower
Jewelweed
Impatiens capensis
Low riskEdible cookedabundant
Orange spotted flowers, watery stems. Traditional wash for poison ivy and nettle.
Succulent, almost translucent stems. Leaves silver-spangle when dunked. Flowers are orange, dangling, with a curved nectar spur. Seed pods explode when touched.
- Habitat
- Wet shade: seeps, creek edges, ditch shade.
- Season
- July–September.
- Size
- 2–5 ft
- Field marks
- Watery stem; orange jewel flowers; exploding pods
First aid
For ivy or nettle: mash juicy stems and rub on skin as soon as you can.
Use
Crush stems and swab on fresh ivy or nettle sting. Young shoots can be boiled (change water).