You
can find patches of the lovely native spotted jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) thriving in the dappled sunshine
along the edges of streams, ponds, swampy spots, and other moist shady places
during the summer and autumn months. This succulent annual reaches heights of
two to five feet while spreading its tender stems of toothed, pale green
leaves. Its jewellike flowers hang delicately from long, slender stalks from
July to September, attracting hummingbirds and bees to a favored nectar source.
The
jewelweed’s one-inch irregular flower is an orange tubular sac with a recurved
spur drooping down from the back. Two fused petals form the wide lower lip of
the flower, creating the perfect place for an insect to land while collecting
the nectar from the blossom. Colorful red spots splash across the spotted
jewelweed’s orange surface, giving the plant its common name.
A
long tongue is required to find the nectar deep within the jewelweed’s tubular
flower. A hummingbird with its very long tongue has no problem. And bumblebees
and honeybees also have tongues long enough to reach the nectar. But sometimes
a bumblebee will cheat; it chews a hole in the back of the flower near the spur
and sips the nectar from there.
Touch
the ripened, elongated seedpod of the jewelweed in the fall and the seeds are
propelled at great velocity as the pod splits open - hence its nickname
“touch-me-not.” (Let your planters of impatiens go to seed and you will find
that they bear the same type of seedpods and will explode in the same fashion.
Impatiens is Latin for impatient, a reference, no doubt, to these impatient
seedpods.) Jewelweed seeds are eaten by upland gamebirds, such as ruffed grouse
and bobwhite, and by white-footed mice.
In
the past, the jewelweed was also known as “silver leaf” – when its leaves are
bathed in rain, droplets form, or when submerged in water, tiny air bubbles
form on the surfaces, giving the plant a silvery appearance.
But
perhaps this plant is best known for its ability to neutralize the effects of
poison ivy, stinging nettle, and bee stings. Break the hollow stem of a
jewelweed and rub its juices onto the infected area to lessen the pain. This
amazing and beneficial plant also contains a fungicide that is used to treat
Athlete’s Foot.
Submitted
by Cindi Kobak
Photo: Wikimedia
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