Lyla Dejesus
Jewelweed, or Impatiens capensis, is a plant native to North America that blooms from June until the first frost of fall. It is a great source of nectar for pollinators like hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and wasps. The seeds are also eaten by small mammals and birds during fall and winter, and the foliage is grazed on by white-tailed deer. Jewelweed is also edible for humans, with the blossoms, seed pods, and seeds being safe to eat. The leaves and stems, however, contain high levels of oxalic acid and should be cooked before consumption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Edibility | Jewelweed is edible. The blossoms, seed pods, and seeds can be eaten raw. The young leaves and shoots are typically cooked to reduce their oxalic acid content. |
| Taste | The seeds of jewelweed have a walnut-like flavor. |
| Medical uses | Jewelweed has been used to treat mild digestive disorders, rashes caused by poison ivy, stinging nettle, and warts. |
| Pollinators | Ruby-throated hummingbirds are considered the plant's primary pollinators. It is also visited by butterflies, bumblebees, wasps, and flies. |
| Wildlife | White-footed mice, northern bobwhite, ruffed grouse, and bears are known to eat jewelweed. White-tailed deer graze on the plant's foliage. |
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What You'll Learn
Jewelweed is edible and can be cooked or steamed
Jewelweed, or Impatiens capensis, is a common wildflower that is edible and can be cooked or steamed. It is also known as spotted touch-me-not, garden balsam, whistle weed, and slipper weed. The plant is native to America and is commonly found in moist, shady spots near creeks or ponds. It is a major attractor of butterflies, bumblebees, and hummingbirds.
Jewelweed is a popular foraging plant, with its blossoms, seed pods, seeds, young leaves, and shoots being edible. The seeds have a walnut-like flavor and can be eaten raw in small amounts, while the flowers are often used to brighten up salads and baked goods. The young leaves and shoots should be cooked before consumption to remove oxalic acid, which can affect the body's ability to absorb nutrients and minerals and can cause kidney stones in very high amounts.
To cook jewelweed leaves, it is recommended to boil them for 10 to 12 minutes, change the water, and then boil for another 10 minutes. This process helps to remove some of the oxalic acid present in the plant. The cooked leaves can then be used as a common natural stir-fry ingredient or eaten like a pot herb. Jewelweed can also be steamed, although specific instructions on how to do this were not readily available.
In addition to its culinary uses, jewelweed is also valued for its medicinal properties. It is often used externally to treat bug bites, stings, poison ivy, poison oak, athlete's foot, minor burns, swelling, and itchy skin conditions. The leaves and stems can be mashed or chewed and applied directly to the affected area, providing instant relief. Internally, jewelweed is believed to have antifungal and antimicrobial properties, but it should be consumed in moderation due to its oxalic acid content.
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The seeds are a food source for wildlife, including birds and small mammals
Jewelweed is a food source for wildlife, especially during fall and winter when other food sources are scarce. The seeds are edible and provide nourishment to birds and small mammals. The white-footed mouse, northern bobwhite, and ruffed grouse are among the species known to feed on the seeds. In addition, white-tailed deer graze on the plant's foliage.
Jewelweed is also a valuable food source for pollinators such as hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and wasps. The ruby-throated hummingbird, in particular, relies on jewelweed as its primary source of nectar during migration. The plant's blooms, which appear from June until the first frost of fall, coincide with the hummingbird's fall migration, making it an essential food resource for these birds.
While the seeds are a vital food source for wildlife, they are also sought after by foragers, who describe the taste as similar to walnuts. Foragers collect the seeds, blossoms, and seed pods, which can be eaten fresh or cooked. The seed pods, in particular, are known for their unique, curled-up shape and fleshy texture.
Jewelweed is not just a food source; it also has medicinal properties. It has been traditionally used to treat mild digestive issues and rashes caused by poison ivy. The leaves and stems contain oxalic acid, so cooking is recommended to reduce the levels of this compound. Overall, jewelweed plays a crucial role in sustaining wildlife and providing various benefits to humans.
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It is a great source of nectar for pollinators like hummingbirds
Jewelweed is a great source of nectar for pollinators, especially ruby-throated hummingbirds. The plant blooms from June until the first frost of fall, coinciding with the fall migration of ruby-throated hummingbirds. This timing is beneficial for hummingbirds as they increase their food consumption during this period. The plant's nectar also attracts other pollinators, including various flies, bees, wasps, and occasionally butterflies.
Hummingbirds are known to follow the bloom of jewelweed from north to south during late summer and fall, suggesting that the plant's nectar plays a role in influencing their migration patterns. The presence of jewelweed in a yard can attract numerous hummingbirds, as observed by gardeners.
In addition to being a food source for pollinators, jewelweed also provides sustenance for other wildlife. Its seeds are consumed by small mammals and birds during fall and winter when food sources are scarce. Species such as the white-footed mouse, northern bobwhite, ruffed grouse, and white-tailed deer feed on the seeds and foliage of jewelweed.
Jewelweed is not just a food source for wildlife but also for humans. The blossoms, seed pods, and seeds of jewelweed are edible and have a walnut-like flavour. Foragers often consume these parts of the plant fresh or cooked, especially when the plant is still young and tender. However, it is important to exercise caution as jewelweed contains high levels of oxalic acid, which can be reduced through cooking.
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The plant is also eaten by bears and deer
Jewelweed is a beautiful native plant that is a great source of nectar for hummingbirds and other pollinators. The plant blooms from June until the first frost of fall, coinciding with the fall migration of ruby-throated hummingbirds, making it an important food source for them. In addition to hummingbirds, jewelweed also attracts butterflies, bees, and wasps, and occasionally spicebush swallowtail butterflies.
Jewelweed is also known for its medicinal properties, particularly its ability to treat rashes caused by poison ivy and stinging nettles. The juice or extract from the plant can be applied directly to the skin to relieve itching. Foragers also consume jewelweed, as it is edible. The blossoms, seed pods, seeds, and young leaves and shoots are all edible parts of the plant. The seeds are said to taste like walnuts and can be eaten fresh or cooked.
However, it is important to exercise caution when consuming jewelweed as it contains high levels of oxalic acid, which can be reduced through cooking. Eating the plant regularly can be dangerous due to its high mineral content.
The plant is also a part of the diet of some wildlife species, including bears and deer. White-tailed deer, in particular, graze on the foliage of jewelweed plants. Additionally, small mammals and birds eat the abundant seeds during the fall and winter months when other food sources are scarce.
Overall, jewelweed is a valuable plant that offers aesthetic, ecological, and medicinal benefits, while also serving as a food source for both wildlife and humans.
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Jewelweed is used as a natural remedy for poison ivy
Jewelweed, scientifically known as Impatiens capensis, is a native plant of northern and eastern North America, specifically the Eastern and Midwestern US and Canada. It is characterised by its bright orange flowers, unique shape, and smooth green leaves that are often adorned with droplets of water or dew, resembling jewels. This plant is particularly attractive to wildlife, including bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and even small mammals that eat its seeds.
Jewelweed has been traditionally used by Native American tribes, such as the Potawatomi, Chippewa, Meskwaki, and Omaha, as a natural remedy for poison ivy. The juice or sap from the plant's stems or leaves is applied to the affected area, providing relief from itching and helping to prevent the development of a rash. This traditional use has been supported by some modern studies, which have found that jewelweed mash or crushed plant parts can effectively reduce poison ivy-induced dermatitis.
However, it is important to note that there are also studies that contradict these findings. Some investigations have shown that while jewelweed juice may provide temporary relief from itching, it is not effective in reducing the poison ivy rash itself. Additionally, jewelweed extracts and soaps made from these extracts were found to be no more effective than jewelweed-free soaps in treating poison ivy symptoms.
Despite the mixed results, the historical and ethnobotanical significance of jewelweed in treating poison ivy has led many modern herbalists to recommend its use. Commercial products containing jewelweed, such as sprays, soaps, and creams, are widely available over the counter as natural remedies for poison ivy.
When using jewelweed as a natural remedy for poison ivy, it is essential to act quickly. The jewelweed should be applied to the infected areas as soon as possible, ideally before your immune system recognises the urushiol oil, which causes the poison ivy rash.
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Frequently asked questions
Jewelweed is a great source of nectar for ruby-throated hummingbirds and other pollinators such as butterflies, bees, and wasps. The seeds are also eaten by small mammals and birds during fall and winter when food is scarce. Some species that eat the seeds include white-footed mice, northern bobwhite, and ruffed grouse. White-tailed deer also graze on the foliage.
Yes, jewelweed is edible. The blossoms, seed pods, and seeds can be eaten raw. The seeds have a walnut-like flavor. The flowers can also be added to salads and baked goods. However, the leaves and stems are high in oxalic acid, so the young leaves and shoots are typically cooked to remove some of the acid. Eating jewelweed regularly may be dangerous due to its high mineral content.
Jewelweed has been valued for its medicinal properties. The parts of the plant that grow above the ground can be used to treat mild digestive disorders and rashes caused by poison ivy. It is also said to be a cure for stinging nettle.
Jewelweed blooms from June until the first frost of fall. It is rarely found growing in Georgia backyards, but it can be found in Connecticut and other parts of the U.S. Northeast. It was also taken to France, England, and other parts of Europe in the 1800s and 1900s, where it became naturalized.
