IMPATIENS CAPENSIS Meaning and
Definition
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Impatiens capensis, commonly referred to as jewelweed or touch-me-not, is a flowering plant species native to North America. It belongs to the family Balsaminaceae and is characterized by its vibrant orange or yellow flowers and succulent stems. Jewelweed typically grows in damp, shaded areas, such as the edges of streams, swamps, and wet woodlands.
This herbaceous annual plant is known for its unique properties and uses. The name "touch-me-not" comes from its seed pods, which, when touched or matured, burst open and shoot out the seeds. Jewelweed has also been used for centuries as a natural remedy for skin irritations, such as poison ivy rashes. The plant contains a compound called lawsone, which has anti-itch and anti-inflammatory properties, making it effective in soothing itching and reducing redness.
Impatiens capensis typically grows to a height of two to five feet, with coarsely toothed leaves and slightly swollen joints along its hollow stems. The flowers are irregularly shaped, featuring a spurred corolla and a pouch-like lower lip that attracts hummingbirds and bees for pollination. The plant's seeds are small, black, and rounded.
Due to its distinctive appearance and medicinal properties, Impatiens capensis has become a popular plant in gardens and natural areas. It provides beauty, attracts wildlife, and serves as a natural remedy for skin ailments caused by various irritants.
Common Misspellings for IMPATIENS CAPENSIS
- umpatiens capensis
- jmpatiens capensis
- kmpatiens capensis
- ompatiens capensis
- 9mpatiens capensis
- 8mpatiens capensis
- inpatiens capensis
- ikpatiens capensis
- ijpatiens capensis
- imoatiens capensis
- imlatiens capensis
- im-atiens capensis
- im0atiens capensis
- impztiens capensis
- impstiens capensis
- impwtiens capensis
- impqtiens capensis
- impariens capensis
- impafiens capensis
Etymology of IMPATIENS CAPENSIS
The word Impatiens Capensis has a species name followed by a specific epithet.
The word Impatiens comes from Latin, meaning impatient or not suffering. This name was given to the plants in this genus due to the fact that their seed pods burst open when touched, scattering the seeds. This behavior is seen as an impatient or restless characteristic.
The word Capensis is derived from Latin as well, meaning of the Cape. It refers to the Cape of Good Hope, a rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of South Africa, where this specific species of Impatiens is native. Therefore, Impatiens Capensis can be translated as Impatiens of the Cape.
