Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)
In the words of botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer in her book Gathering Moss, "Plants come when and where they are needed. They find their way to the place where they can fulfill their roles." Jewelweed, which can be found in the same wet and shadow-filled environment as poison ivy, certainly fulfills this destiny. This orange flower is not only a bright spot of color in the landscape, but its stem and leaves can be crushed to use as a topical balm for itch-relief after poison ivy exposure. We like to use jewelweed in projects within partially shaded floodplains, not only because poison ivy runs so rampant across the north shore, but also because when planted in the correct environment, jewelweed is a reliable plant that can hold its own! Quick to establish itself in disturbed soil, once this native plant species lays claim to a territory it can help keep other unwanted growth at bay. It can even stand its ground against garlic mustard. Finally, this mid-summer bloom is a great addition for anyone who already keeps a hummingbird feeder in their yard, as hummingbirds, along with bees and butterflies, are its pollinators.
Image Credit: Jewelweed, by Ted LaBar via creativecommons.org (CC BY-NC 2.0)
Kimmerer, R. W. (2021). Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses. Penguin Books.





















