Gerald A.
Mulligan (Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, retired)
Impatiens capensis Meerb., spotted jewelweed, impatiente biflore
An erect native annual, often much branched, herb that grows up to 4.5 feet (1.5 meters) high. Flowers are irregular, orange-yellow in color. Occurs in all types of moist habitats throughout our area. Its succulent, often hollow, stems will exude a mucilaginous liquid when broken. This liquid is said to be useful as a soothing remedy for the itching caused by the sap of poison-ivy, western poison-oak, and poison sumac.
