A Jewel of a Weed

The most common Jewelweed with the bright orange flowers is called Spotted Touch-me-not, and there is a relatively common pale yellow-flowered variety called (oddly enough) Pale Touch-me-not (Impatiens pallida).

Although most sources list it as an edible plant, they all caution that the young shoots must be boiled in a few changes of water. One site notes that jewelweed is SO high in minerals that it should be eaten in small quantities and it's better to mix it with other vegetables.

All in all it is another of our common roadside weeds waiting patiently to be discovered and used. Just the other morning we saw a Rose-breasted Grosbeak hopping around in the jewelweed feasting on the seeds (some surprise when they blow up in your beak.....)

Did you know that there are more than 40 other Home and Garden Editors right here at Suite 101 writing about their own discoveries and surprises? Have a look and join the fun!

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