Facts About the Jewelweed Plant

Jewelweed - also well-known as impatiens - develops along the Northern Hemisphere and regions of the tropics. Most of the species will grow annually and develop flowers during the early summer and till the start of frost. The perennial species can be seen developing in the moderate climates and will develop flowers throughout the entire year.

Most of them will grow as tall as three feet - but some are known to get as tall as seven feet. The leaves are glossy and have a thick, water repellent cuticula on the upper side that makes it feel greasy. Underneath the leaves you will notice tiny air bubbles that will give it it a glossy sheen. The flowers develop to be around one inch long with a shoe or horn shaped spur attached to it.

The plant was given its common name - impatiens - from the seed capsules. When the capsules are fully matured they will break loose into the air when touched. This will send the seeds a few inches away. This is called the rapid plant movement.

Each species has different attributes and intentions that they are used for. A couple are utilized purely for ornamental intentions while others for medicinal. Some have been utilized to produce insecticidal soap. These are all natural and are therefore better to utilize and better for the environment.

The species seen in North American are commonly used for treating bee stings, insect bites, and the poison ivy rash. When anyone has come into contact with the poison ivy they will at once search for the Jewelweed plant because it is ordinarily growing nearby. The plant may be turned into a salve or the juices from the plant can be squeezed directly onto the rash.

Obviously the better way to treat the rash is to get it directly from the plant - but this is not always possible. The spotted Jewelweed is the better plant to get it from because it is the most powerful.