lord_whimsy ([info]lord_whimsy) wrote,
@ 2008-07-15 19:11:00
Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Entry tags:plants

IMPATIENS CAPENSIS


Jewelweed, or Touch-Me-Not.






(Post a new comment)


[info]droserary
2008-07-16 01:41 am UTC (link)
Interesting. I grew up around these and always thought they were native, but then I saw the species name you posted, I. capensis and immediately doubted my assumption based on the specific epithet, which means "of the cape", as in Africa, of course. Turns out, the botanist, Nicolaas Meerburgh, who described the species got it wrong and thought it was native to the Cape of Good Hope. What a relief! Surely a marvelous plant and I'm glad I don't have to hate it for being an introduced or invasive species.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]lord_whimsy
2008-07-16 02:45 am UTC (link)
Yeah--I know that story, too. Good for warding off poison ivy, as you probably know.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]myrrhabell
2008-07-17 01:18 am UTC (link)
Growing up we used to make jewel weed ice cubes (just mashed stems frozen in regular ice cube trays) to soothe poison ivy rashes. :)

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
Re:
[info]lord_whimsy
2008-07-17 01:22 am UTC (link)
Wow--that's the first time I'd heard of that! Was that a common practice? Did it work?

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
Re:
[info]myrrhabell
2008-07-17 10:48 am UTC (link)
I don't know that I've paid enough attention to know whether or not many others cubed and freeze jewel weed, but it definitely soothes the itch and calms the inflamation. The combination of the jewel weed itself and the cold because it's frozen is a delightful relief. Plus you can have it on hand and not have to worry about going out to find a jewel weed plant. :)

I love how often nature proves its remedies with its poisons.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

Create an Account
Forgot your login or password?
Login w/ OpenID
English • Español • Deutsch • Русский…