I can’t recall who taught me about Wild Touch Me Nots. We’ve always called the plant Jewel Weed, but the popping seed pods certainly give favor to the name Wild Touch Me Nots.
According toWildflowers Worth Knowing by Neltje Blanchan, Jewelweed is also called Spotted Touch Me Not, Silver Cap, Wild Balsam, Lady’s Eardrops, Snap Weed, and Wild Lady’s Slipper.
Blanchan also has this to say about the plants:
“Distribution–Nova Scotia to Oregon, south to Missouri and Florida.
These exquisite, bright flowers, hanging at a horizontal, like jewels from a lady’s ear, may be responsible for the plant’s folk-name; but whoever is abroad early on a dewy morning, or after a shower, and finds notched edges of the drooping leaves hung with scintillating gems, dancing, sparkling in the sunshine, sees still another reason for naming this the Jewel-weed. In a brook, pond, spring, or wayside trough, which can never be far from its haunts, dip a spray of the plant to transform the leaves into glistening silver. They shed water much as the nasturtiums do.”
It might have been an older cousin, an uncle, or even mamaw that first showed me the small exploding seed pods. I’ve tried my best to share the novelty of popping them with younger members of my Wilson family.
Late of an evening I’d take my little cousins down the road walking and looking for jewel weed. We’d stop at every patch and they’d “pop” seeds that were ready and most of the ones that weren’t ready 🙂
The plant is a natural cortisone and can be used for all sorts of skin aliments.
Several years ago Cheryl shared how she uses it.
“Every year an abundance of jewel weed grows along side our stream. I cut down to about 4 inches of the root, pack as much as I can into a few quart-size jars and pour in as much witch hazel or vodka as the jar will hold. Let it steep at least a month, the longer the better. Eventually I strain it and keep a few jars stored in the basement. It will get used up in a hurry if someone encounters ground hornets, yellow jackets, or poison ivy or oak. It takes the hurt out of the stings and by the end of the day all that is left of the stings is a small welt that is usually gone in a few days.”
I had the great pleasure of showing Ira and Woodrow the popping seeds recently. Ira took to it like a duck to water. He’s kept his eyes out for the pretty blooms now that he knows how much fun the seeds are. Woodrow was too interested in the rocks on the road to care about the pods, but I’m sure he will enjoy them in the future.
Last night’s video: You’ll Never Believe What Showed Up at Our House || September Charm.
Tipper
Subscribe for FREE and get a daily dose of Appalachia in your inbox