Other common names:
Pale Jewelweed, Pale Snapweed Other scientific names: Impatiens aurea French names:
Impatiente pāle Family: Touch-me-not Family (Balsaminaceae) Similar species:
Spotted Touch-me-not (Impatiens capensis) - Orange flowers. Flowers: Summer, Autumn; Yellow; Irregular flowers Leaves: Alternate Height:
60-150 cm (23-59 in) Habitat: Forests, Wet Areas Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 54 Native/Non-native:
Native Notes:
The name refers to the tendency of the ripe seed pods to suddenly explode when touched.
Photographs:
155 photographs available, of which 11 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
Range Map is at the bottom of the page
The Pale Touch-me-not flower is rather unique.
Front view.
Photograph by Graham Buck
Pale Touch-me-not plants.
Rarely the flowers are whitish.
The spring-loaded seed pod gives this species one of its common names, Touch-me-Not. A simple touch on a ripe seed pod is enough to make it explode, throwing the seeds some distance away.
Seeds and the remnants of the seed pod.
Pale Touch-me-not stems are partly transluscent.
The juice from the stems counteracts itchiness, and thus is a good antidote for mosquito bites and perhaps even Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron rydbergii).
A Pale Touch-me-not leaf with dew drops, showing why it is sometimes called Jewelweed.
PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.
(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website
and is displayed here in accordance with their
Policies)