Impatiens ecalcarata
Blank.
gbif· cc-by-nc
ayethirisan
gbif· cc-by-nc
Khant Ye Yint ( Lord Khanevyr ov Mandralyx)
gbif· cc0
Conveyor Belt
Description
Impatiens ecalcarata 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.
Edible Uses
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.
Medicinal Uses
Antidote Parasiticide Stings Warts. Antidote, parasiticide. Used in the treatment of warts, ringworm, nettle stings, poison ivy rash etc.
Known Hazards
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.
Distribution
Western N. America - S.E. British Columbia to Oregon.
Where It Grows
NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (British Columbia), United States (Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington)
Cultivation
Succeeds in any reasonably good soil. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a moist well-drained humus rich soil in a cool shady site. Plants self-sow in areas where minimum winter temperatures go no lower than -15°c. 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.
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.
Other Uses
Dye Fungicide Hair ParasiticideA 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.
