Botanical Nerd Word: Hydrophobic

Impatiens capensis, known as jewelweed or touch-me-not, showing water droplets beaded on leaves

Hydrophobic: Tending to repel, or not to absorb, water.*

Impatiens capensis, commonly known as jewelweed or touch-me-not, has hydrophobic leaves. Water drops bead on the surface after a rain and look like little jewels. This is possibly where jewelweed gets its common name.

 

*Oxford English Dictionary Online. Oxford University Press, September 2016.