Ah, a shrinking world even back them. Hard to say, isn't it. But interesting. That's how a lot of wildflowers became wildflowers, I imagine.
When we spot that partiular plant here, we know to look around for poison ivy or some other such "itchy" type plant possibly (and almost always) growing nearby. The leaves of I. pallida are mascerated and boiled, then cooled to form a poultice for the rash and other skin ailments. It's also incorporated into soap for the same purpose. Its cousin, I. capensis, is used in like manner. That's the one growing at the edge of our back woods.
And, yes, there is poison ivy back there as well.
Orange Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)
