Smallflower touchmenot (Impatiens parviflora)

Family: Balsaminaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Impatiens parviflora is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves, Shoots

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

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Young shoots - cooked in one change of water. Some caution is advised, see the notes on toxicity at the top of the record. Seed - raw or cooked. — Young shoots - cooked in one change of water.; Some caution is advised, see the notes on toxicity at the top of the record.; Seed - raw or cooked.; They are tedious to collect in quantity, mainly because of their exploding seed capsules which scatter the ripe seed at the slightest touch.

Habitat & North American Range

Woods and waste shady places, mainly in S. and E. England. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)