Jewelweed (Impatiens glandulifera)

Family: Balsaminaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Impatiens glandulifera is a ANNUAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from August to October, and the seeds ripen from September to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves, Shoots

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

delicious nutty flavour, but difficult to harvest in quantity mainly because of their exploding seed capsules which scatter the ripe seed at the slightest touch An edible oil is obtained from the seed. — Young leaves and shoots - cooked.; They should not be used on a regular basis, see warning at top of record.; A delicious nutty flavour, but difficult to harvest in quantity mainly because of their exploding seed capsules which scatter the ripe seed at the slightest touch An edible oil is obtained from the seed.

Habitat & North American Range

Shrubberies and bushy places, often on grazing ground, frequently gregarious, 1800 - 4000 metres in the Himalayas. Grows on river banks and waste places in Britain. (Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)