The name sounds quite ominous, doesn’t it? More like a name befitting poison ivy, stinging nettles, or the nasty giant hogweed we hear so much about. Touch-me-not, also known as jewelweed, is far from being scary. The name is derived form the seed pods which seem to explode at the slightest touch, sending the seeds far from the host plant.
Jewelweed is a lovely and interesting plant. It grows easily along roadsides and areas with a reasonable amount of moisture. The flowers have an interesting structure that makes extra work for bumblebees – and extra fun for onlookers who get to watch the bees force their fuzzy bodies into the bright flowers.
Jewelweed
The flowers can be either yellow…
Yellow Variety
Or a fiery variegated orange…
Orange!
The interesting shape of the flower, when seen from the side, shows the work that must be done by bumblebees and others who seek the sweet nectar. Check out the little swoop at the back end – the flowers are going to make the pollinators work for it. By making the insects climb all the way in to get to the nectar, they can be sure the pollen will be rubbed off onto their bodies to be transported to the next bloom.
Side view
Now, about that name – touch-me-not. As I said, the name is taken from the plant’s interesting method of seed dispersal. When the pods are ready, the slightest touch causes them to burst and send the mature seeds flying in all directions. Manhandling pods which aren’t quite ripe will eventually produce a slightly less enthusiastic popping and reveal seeds that are green – not ready. When ripe, the seeds that emerge from the pods will be a dark brown color. The seeds are considered edible by many. I have tasted them and the best comparison I can make is to walnuts. Very strong walnuts.
Seed pod
Burst pod with ripe seed
Burst pod or modern art?
For all that has been covered, we are not giving jewelweed its due. For many, jewelweed is prized as a medicinal plant. The sap, when squeezed from the hollow stem of the plant, is a remedy for the nastiest plants out there – poison ivy and stinging nettle. I can personally attest to its powers at relieving the sting from nettles. Many people have noticed, as have I, that jewelweed often grows in and around nettles. The two plants seems to have an affinity for similar habitats.
