The green seed pods (long narrow and fat when ripe) explode when you touch them. I can spend hours lightly touching the ripe pods just to see them explode sending their bright green seeds in all directions.
The leaves are strong medicine for the itchiness of bites and stings. I usually grab a few leaves when I accidentally brush against STINGING NETTLES and smear the leaves all over the area that stings. Conveniently, at camp, they grow right next to each other. I also have been known to gather the leaves and puree them in a blender, put them in a baggie and then freeze them. Between the cold and the touch me not leaves, it is very soothing. Although when I was doing research, Wikipedia says "although controlled studies have not shown efficacy for this purpose" which I believe means that it doesn't work. You can try it if you get a chance--even if it doesn't work, it won't hurt you.
For those of you who like the Latin name--Impatiens capensis! It is also known as Jewelweed because when the leaves are held underwater, they sparkle in the sunlight.
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All rights reserved 2013 by Valerie J Wright
