Spotted Touch-Me-Not (Jewelweed)

Impatiens carpensis

Family Balsaminaceae
Notable Features
Leaves: Ovate*, scalloped*, alternate*, green leaves that look silvery in color when submerged in water. Stems are thick and full of water.
Flowers: Pale-yellow flowers appear July through October, dangling from the ends of stems. Three petals are apparent and surround a central basket-like extension from the back of the flower. Seed pods, when ripe, explode and disperse when touched.
Size/ Shape: A wetland and shade loving plant 3 to 5 feet (1-1½ m) in height.
Location on Campus

(click for map)
Can be found growing on the edge of the stream in the Chapel's Field Wetland behind the library.
Uses
Young shoots* under six inches can be collected and boiled in two changes of water for 10 to 15 minutes and served as a cooked green.

WARNING: Do not drink the water shoots are boiled in. However, the watery substance found in the stems and leaves that is boiled off can be used as a remedy for poison ivy and nettle stings. FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY.
Except where specifically noted, all text, photographs, and drawings copyright Chris Bersbach and Lisa Leombruni 2002. No part of this page may be reproduced without the express permission of the authors.