Ontario Wildflowers website

Pale Touch-me-not
Impatiens pallida

Pale Touch-me-not (Impatiens pallida) 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

Pale Touch-me-not (Impatiens pallida) flower

The Pale Touch-me-not flower is rather unique.

Pale Touch-me-not (Impatiens pallida) flower

Front view.

Pale Touch-me-not (Impatiens pallida) plants
Photograph by Graham Buck

Pale Touch-me-not plants.

Pale Touch-me-not (Impatiens pallida) plants

Pale Touch-me-not (Impatiens pallida) flower

Rarely the flowers are whitish.

Pale Touch-me-not (Impatiens pallida) seed pod

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.

Pale Touch-me-not (Impatiens pallida) seed pod

Pale Touch-me-not (Impatiens pallida) seeds

Seeds and the remnants of the seed pod.

Pale Touch-me-not (Impatiens pallida) stem

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).

Pale Touch-me-not (Impatiens pallida) leaf

A Pale Touch-me-not leaf with dew drops, showing why it is sometimes called Jewelweed.

Pale Touch-me-not (Impatiens pallida) leaf


Range map for Pale Touch-me-not (Impatiens pallida)

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)