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Common Name:

General Information

Impatiens edgeworthii is an annual plant that can grow up to 0.60 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of materials.

Known Hazards

Regular ingestion of large quantities of these plants can be dangerous due to their high mineral content[]. This report, which seems nonsensical, might refer to calcium oxalate. This mineral is found in I. capensis and so is probably also in other members of the genus. It can be harmful raw but is destroyed by thoroughly cooking or drying the plant[]. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones and hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet[].

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - Himalayas from Pakistan to Kashmir.

Habitat

Usually found in forest openings in ditches near water drains, 1700 - 2200 metres in Srinagar[].

Properties

Habit	Annual
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in any reasonably good soil[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a moist well-drained humus rich soil in a cool shady site[, ].
Plants self-sow in areas where minimum winter temperatures go no lower than -15°c[].
This plant has seed capsules that spring open forcibly as the seed ripens to eject the seed a considerable distance. The capsules are sensitive to touch even before the seed is ripe, making seed collection difficult but fun[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

An oil is obtained from the seed[]. No more details are given.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.