The area surrounding the big garden that we had cut back last winter has turned into a dandy patch of jewelweed. There’s a few suckers from the trees that were cut here and there along with a few other wildflowers and weeds. I’ve even noticed some poke growing in the jungle.
When one considers the growth that happens each summer in the mountains of southern Appalachia it is truly astounding. Equally amazing is the way the first couple of hard frosts kills it all back until it is called forth with the warmth of the sun when spring of the year arrives again.
Jewelweed generally grows in shady damp places and can reach two to three feet in hight. The juice of the plant is a natural cortisone and is a medicinal remedy for poison oak, poison ivy, bee stings, and bug bites.
The plant is sometimes called Wild Touch Me Not because once the plant begins to produce seedpods the slightest touch will send seeds flying in all directions.
I used to take my little cousins on walks. Finding a patch of jewelweed so they could “pop” the seedpods would entertain them for a good long while.
There is a beautiful yellow variety of jewelweed, but we only have the orange growing here in Wilson Holler. It’s lovely as well.
I’ve noticed the yellow growing in Fires Creek and also in the Junuluska section of Cherokee County.
Thank you for all the kind words about our 30th anniversary!
Last night’s video: Matt’s Crazy Story (Lie) of How We Met Matt’s Crazy Story (Lie) of How We Met; Talking About Our Marriage & Sharing Old Photos.
Tipper
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I”ve never seen jewel weed before but it’s beautiful. I think a lot of so-called weeds have gorgeous flowers.
I am so hoping one of your girls makes Jewelweed and Pine tar Soap. Works great when ya get in the poison!
When I was helping to maintain the walking paths at the park down the street, the expert tried to teach me the names of the plants, their characteristics, uses, etc. But with no repetition and *so* many new-to-me plants, few things stuck for long. The way you describe the plant while telling a story puts the bare facts of it in a rich scene. You’re a born teacher.
Happy, happy anniversary to you both. May you enjoy many more decades of happiness!
We only have the orange variety up here in central New York. But it’s lovely and useful none the less I wonder if it has to do with the amount of sunlight.
A good while back in some class or other I saw a table with the names of plants and, for each, how many years their (un-eaten) seeds remain viable on the ground. That is, as we know, underneath the leaf litter. I forget the numbers but I remember being astonished with two in particular; yellow poplar and pokeweed. They will wait many years until sun and soil temperature are right then BOOM here they come. I think blackberry may have been another. Anyway, that helps explain how suddenly there can be so many of a kind of plant that was nowhere to be found before disturbance. Which leads to the two related musteries; what was the prior disturbance if they were growing there? and if the seeds were brought there, what brought them? Nature – a complex puzzle by design! Glad you got another patch of jewel weed. They are kind plants to the eyes and to the skin. And glad you two got so many comments on your 30th. The number, as well as the content, speaks well of your efforts and of the regard in which you are held.
The flowers look like fairies. So pretty.
“sometimes”? I was grown before I encountered another name for Touch-Me-Nots. If you look back to your September 6th 2020 post, I said the same thing. Perhaps I was born in a Southern Appalachian bubble. Perhaps I’m still in that bubble and perhaps I’ll be there until I die!
https://blindpigandtheacorn.com/jewelweed-the-perfect-fall-color/
Jewel weed is beautiful in my opinion! I looked and looked at it and to me it favors old time ladies slippers so that’s what I called it until I became truly devoted to botanicals and learned it’s name and that it’s good for poison ivy. The two often grow together so I find that interesting. I had no idea the seed goes flying off! You’re just the bees knees Tipper and know so much!!!! I adore you always and forever!!!!
I’ve seen some growing on the side of the road in my area and wondered what they were. Now I know. Thank you Tipper, I’m always a learning something new from you.
Jewelweed is in northern Michigan as well, and they are known to be good pollinator plants to attract bees and other beneficial insects. Though I’ve never grown it, I have seen it in the wild, and it does have a pretty orange flower. I read once that people do plant it intentionally in their yards to add color and foliage where there is none.
got some jewelweed down on the creek bank, the hummingbirds love it
The jewelweed is so pretty. I could have used some of it a couple of weeks ago when I had a couple of mosquito bites that were itching like crazy.
When I was young we called it orange balsam. We used it to relieve the itch of poison ivy.
I actually made Jewelweed salve last year. I gave it as gifts. It work wonders! I keep a container in my kitchen window.
Enjoyed the video last night!
I love jewelweed! Such a simple medicinal provided by nature. The seeds from the pods taste just like walnuts to me and are quite edible as are the flowers. I often find it growing next to nettles, another powerhouse food!
We have always called these flowers “touch me nots”. You have educated me once again with the name of jewel weed. As a kid, I used to spend lots of time playing with the touch me nots—squeezing the seed pods and watching them spring open. It’s very interesting to also learn from you that it is a medicinal plant. I loved the photos in your video from last evening. It was fun watching you both through the years. Thank you for sharing and have a great day.
Just have to comment on the video last night. Absolutely enjoyed it!!! Thank you for showing all the pictures of you and Matt. I was going to tell you about the vhs tape,there are places that will record that on dvd and you could have a couple of copies made and they are not very expensive. I think walmart used to do it. If you could find someone local that would be even better, then it wouldn’t get lost. But you are right,it.s the little things,the everyday. My husband passed away after 44 years together and I miss the everyday.
I may have seen some jewel weed around here but didn’t recognize it. I do remember Mother calling something I thought was a flower “touch me nots.” If jewelweed likes damp places, it would be out of luck here, we have had very little rain this summer, less than inch this month and the little hint of fall last week is gone. This week has been in the 90’s with today and tomorrow predicted to be 96 degrees and about 5 percent chance of rain. My grass is brown and crunchy.
I read over yesterday’s comments late last night and I think Nancy North Levant’s comment would be a perfect description and secret of mine and my wife’s (Janice) long happy marriage before her death. I like the fact she listed God as being number one. I think a copy of Nancy’s comment would be good advice to give any newly married couple and wouldn’t hurt some of the older married couples to read. But I do not think or claim I ever beautified a photograph. Heck a large picture of me put in a cornfield would make the crows bring back the corn they stole last year.
I sure wish that I had some here. I would make salve for bug bites….. do have plantain and need to make some with it! Thanks for sharing the picture. I will recognize it if ever do see it! Have a great day!
Just yesterday I used some jewelweed with the yellow flowers on my right elbow that was itching like crazy. It quickly relieved the itch. What a marvelous plant.
“Touch Me Nots” is a name I remember the Jewelweed being called from years ago.
Jewelweed! Up here in Pittsburgh we get both the orange Common Jewelweed and the yellow Pale Jewelweed. Wonderful plants, and their explosive dehiscence is such a surprise and treat!