Impatiens pallida (pale jewelweed, pale touch-me-not or yellow jewelweed) is a flowering plant native to Canada and the United States. It grows in moist to wet soils, generally alongside the closely related Impatiens capensis, producing flowers from midsummer through fall. Along with other species of jewelweed or "touch-me-not", it is a traditional remedy for skin rashes, although controlled studies have not shown efficacy for this purpose.
Family:
Balsaminaceae (Touch-me-not)
Height:
2 to 6 feet
Leaves and Stems:
Alternate, oval with fine teeth, up to 5 inches long and on 2 inch stalks. Stems are thick, nearly hollow, and juicy inside when broken or cut.
Flower:
Yellow with an open mouth and narrow spur, reddish spots (1 to 1.5 inches long). When the seedpods are ripe they explode when touched, given this plant its other common name of spotted-touch-me-not.
Bloom time:
July-September
Nicknames:
Yellow Jewelweed, Yellow Touch-Me-Not, Pale Touch-Me-Not
Habitat:
Shorelines, edges of woods
Wildlife Benefits:
Nectar source for hummingbirds and bumblebees. The seeds are eaten by several game bird species and the foliage is eaten by deer.
Can I plant this in my garden?
Yellow jewelweed prefers part shade and moist soils. It is an annual plant that can spread prolifically from seeds; unwanted plants can be easily pulled by hand.
References:
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/pale-touch-me-not
https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/wetland/plants/yl_jewelweed.htm
Family | Balsaminaceae |
---|---|
Habit | Forb |
Life cycle | annual |
Origin | native |
Flower | yellow |
Bloom time | (7) July, (8) August, (9) September |
*sites | Snail Lake |