Impatiens sulcata
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].
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
Leaves. No more details are given, but some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Seed - raw. No more details are given, but the seeds are difficult to harvest in quantity. This is mainly because of their exploding seed capsules which scatter the ripe seed at the slightest touch[K]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed. Ripe fruits - raw. A confusing report, the plant produces a capsule surrounding the seeds[K].
Habitat
Humus-rich soils.
Native range
E. Asia - Himalayas - Kashmir to Bhutan.
Same genus
- Balfour's touch-me-not (Impatiens balfourii)
- Touch-me-not (Impatiens noli-tangere)
- Pale touch-me-not (Impatiens pallida)
- Small balsam (Impatiens parviflora)
- Paleyellow touch-me-not (Impatiens aurella)
- Orange balsam (Impatiens capensis)
- Spurless touch-me-not (Impatiens ecalcarata)
- Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera)