Smallflower touchmenot

Impatiens parviflora

Physical Characteristics

Impatiens parviflora is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). 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

Western N. America to Siberia. Naturalized in Britain.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Seed Shoots Edible Uses: Young shoots - cooked in one change of water[172]. Some caution is advised, see the notes on toxicity at the top of the record. Seed - raw or cooked[172]. They are tedious to collect in quantity[172], mainly because of their exploding seed capsules which scatter the ripe seed at the slightest touch[K].

Medicinal Uses

Antidote Parasiticide Stings Warts Antidote, parasiticide. Used in the treatment of warts, ringworm, nettle stings, poison ivy rash etc[172].

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].