Touch-Me-Not

Impatiens noli-tangere

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Basic Information

Family: Balsaminaceae

Genus: impatiens

Plant ID (slug): impatiens-noli-tangere

Numeric ID: 21699

USDA Hardiness: 5-9

Ratings

Physical Characteristics

Impatiens noli-tangere is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. 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.

Distribution

Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia to France, east to Macedonia and temperate Asia.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Seed Shoots Edible Uses: Young shoots - cooked[105, 172]. See the notes above on toxicity. Seed - raw. A delicious nutty flavour but rather difficult to harvest[172], mainly because of their exploding seed capsules which scatter the ripe seed at the slightest touch[K].

Medicinal Uses

Antiseptic Diuretic Emetic Laxative The plant is antiseptic, diuretic, strongly emetic, laxative and vulnerary[4, 9, 61]. It has been used in the treatment of stranguary and haemorrhoids[4]. The plant is occasionally used internally in the treatment of haemorrhoids and as a laxative and diuretic, but the dose must be carefully adhered to since large quantities are strongly emetic[9]. The plant is harvested at any time in the summer[9].

Known Hazards

Regular ingestion of large quantities of these plants can be dangerous due to their high mineral content[172]. 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[K]. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones and hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet[238].