Impatiens occidentalis
Family: Balsaminaceae
What it is like
Impatiens occidentalis is a ANNUAL. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0
Where it is found
Moist woods.
Western N. America.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 3
Young shoots - cooked in one change of water. See the notes above on toxicity. Seed - raw or cooked. They are tedious to collect in quantity, mainly because of their exploding seed capsules which scatter the ripe seed at the slightest touch.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 2
Antidote, parasiticide. Used in the treatment of warts, ringworm, nettle stings, poison ivy rash etc.
Antidote: Counters poisoning.
Parasiticide: Treats external parasites such as ringworm This should perhaps be joined with Parasiticide in
Stings: Used in the treatment of stings and insect bites.
Warts: Used in the treatment of warts, corns etc.
Other
Rating: 2
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.
Dye: Plants that provide dyes.
Fungicide: Arrests the growth of, or kills, fungi.
Hair: Plants used as hair shampoos, tonics, to treat balding etc.
Parasiticide: Kills external body parasites such as hair lice.
How it is grown
Succeeds in any reasonably good soil. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a moist well-drained humus rich soil in a cool site. 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. This species is probably part of I. noli-tangere.
Propagating it: 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.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;
Habit: Annual
Hardiness:
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Regular ingestion of large quantities of these plants can be dangerous due to their high mineral content. This report, which seems nonsensical, might refer to calcium oxalate. This mineral is found in I. capensis and so is probably also in other members of the genus. It can be harmful raw but is destroyed by thoroughly cooking or drying the plant. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones and hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet.