Resumo de Touch Me Not

Touch-me-not (Impatiens capensis)

Plant names can be descriptive, deceptive and sometimes
obscure. In the case of spotted touch-me-not, the name
suggests menace, as if spines or other nasty surprises
await the curious. Not so - this is a benevolent and useful
plant. The ?touch-me-not' refers to what happens when a
ripe seed pod is touched; it opens explosively, scattering
seeds in all directions. Other names include jewelweed,
perhaps because of the brightly-coloured flowers, and
Lady's earrings. Scientifically, it is Impatiens capensis,
the impatient one of the cape. There are other Impatiens
species on the Island, but capensis is by far the most
common.

Description: this is a fairly tall (up to 1.7 m - 5.5ft)
annual, found in masses in wet areas, ditches, stream
banks. It usually grows in partial to full shade, although
it can tolerate sunlight. The stem is rather succulent and
weak. Leaves of the touch-me-not are alternate, long and
thin, coarsely toothed. This plant flowers profusely over a
four to five month period, from early summer to late fall.
The flowers themselves are complicated. They dangle from
long stalks, with three petals and an enlarged sepal which
serves as a nectar sac. Flower colour is variable, usually
golden to orange, with reddish-brown spots. The fruits
ripen over quite a long period, so the little explosive
pods can be found almost anytime.

This species is native to eastern North America and is
common as far west as Saskatchewan. If you follow almost
any stream here on the Island you will encounter ?the
impatient one' waiting for you to help its in seed
dispersal - I cannot pass without touching a few pods. It
is easily grown from seed and will keep itself going in any
wet, shaded area with decent soil - ideal around pond edges
and streamlets, where its dense habit provides cover for
many amphibians, reptiles, small mammals and even birds. It
is a nectar plant, very attractive to butterflies and
humming birds, and thus a great addition to a wild garden.

To close on a medicinal note, Touch-me not has been used by
many cultures as first aid against poison ivy attacks,
insect stings and skin inflam-mations of various sorts -
the whole plant is crushed and the watery juice smeared on
irritated areas. Works for me on bee stings!

Key references: Clough, Katherine. Wildflowers of Prince
Edward Island. Ragweed Press, Charlottetown, 1992.

Stokes, Donald & Lillian. A Guide to Enjoying Wild-flowers.
Little, brown & Co., Boston, MA, 1985.

Resumos Relacionados