Impatiens occidentalis

At a glance

Lifecycle: Annual
Exposure: Full sun

Cultivation

Succeeds in any reasonably good soil. 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.

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.

Edible uses

Young shoots - cooked in one change of water. See the notes above on toxicity. Seed - raw or cooked, mainly because of their exploding seed capsules which scatter the ripe seed at the slightest touch[K].

Medicinal uses

Antidote, parasiticide. Used in the treatment of warts, ringworm, nettle stings, poison ivy rash etc.

Material uses

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