Family: Balsaminaceae
Author: Meerb.
Bibliography: Afb. Zeldz. Gew.: 8 (1775)
Year: 1775
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Impatiens
Vegetable: False
Observations: Subarctic America to N., C. & E. U.S.A.
Description
Jewelweed, scientifically known as Impatiens capensis, is a fascinating plant belonging to the Balsaminaceae family. Often found thriving in the wetlands and moist, shaded areas, Jewelweed is widespread across a broad geographical range extending from Subarctic America down to the northern, central, and eastern regions of the United States.
Distinguished for its ethereal beauty, Jewelweed is an annual herb notable for its vibrant, jewel-toned blossoms. The flowers, which bloom in a warm reddish-orange hue with splashes of yellow, resemble suspended jewelry, giving the plant its common name. These pendulous, nectar-rich flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, playing a critical role in local ecosystems.
The plant exhibits an intriguing adaptation in its method of seed dispersal. When mature, the seedpods of Jewelweed explode upon touch, a mechanical dispersal tactic that ensures widespread distribution of its seeds. This unique mechanism has earned the plant numerous nicknames, such as “touch-me-not” due to its sensitive seed release.
Jewelweed thrives in moist, fertile soils and is often found along streams, wetlands, and in damp forest understories. Its ability to flourish in wet environments makes it an essential component of riparian plant communities, where it helps to stabilize soil and prevent erosion.
Beyond its ecological contributions, Jewelweed is renowned in traditional medicine, particularly for its purported efficacy in soothing skin irritations. The clear, watery sap found within the plant’s stem is often applied as a natural remedy for ailments such as poison ivy rash and insect stings, owing to its anti-inflammatory properties.
The meticulous documentation of Jewelweed dates back to 1775, highlighting its longstanding recognition in botanical science. The esteemed author Meerb. provided an initial formal description in ‘Afb. Zeldz. Gew.: 8 (1775)‘, thereby cementing its place within botanical literature.
In summary, Impatiens capensis or Jewelweed, is not only a strikingly beautiful plant with unique seed dispersal traits but also an essential species in both ecological and ethnobotanical contexts. Its widespread presence across Subarctic America to various parts of the U.S.A. underlines its adaptability and significance within its native habitats.
Common Names
Fra: balsamine du cap, balsamine orangée, impatiente du cap, impatiente orangée, chou sauvage, impatiente biflore
Dan: canadisk balsamin, kap-balsamin, orange-balsamin
Eng: jewelweed, lady’s-earrings, orange balsam, orange touch-me-not, snapweed, spotted jewelweed, spotted touch-me-not, touch-me-not, common jewelweed, jewel-weed, orange jewelweed
Deu: kap-springkraut, orangefarbenes springkraut, orangerotes springkraut
Pol: niecierpek przylądkowy
Nld: oranje springzaad
Swe: apelsinbalsamin, lännenpalsami
Fin: lännenpalsami
Nno: kanadaspringfrø
Nob: kanadaspringfrø
Cym: ffromlys oren
En: Jewelweed, Orange touch-me-not, Spotted jewelweed, Spotted touch-me-not, Touch-me-not, Snapweed, Lady’s-earrings, Orange balsam, Cape touch-me-not, Common jewelweed, Jewel-Weed, Orange jewelweed
Da: Canadisk balsamin, Kap-balsamin, Orange-balsamin
Nl: Kaaps springzaad, Oranje springzaad, Kaaps Sprinzaad
Fi: Lännenpalsami
Fr: Balsamine du Cap, Chou sauvage, Impatiente biflore, Impatiente du Cap, Balsamine orangée, Impatiente orangée
De: Orangefarbenes Springkraut, Kap-Springkraut, Orangerotes Springkraut
Nb: Kanadaspringfrø
Nn: Kanadaspringfrø
Fa: گل دماغه
Pl: Niecierpek pomarańczowy, Niecierpek przylądkowy
Sv: Apelsinbalsamin, Lännenpalsami
Cy: Ffromlys oren
Synonyms
- Impatiens maculata (Muhl.)
- Chrysaea biflora ((Walter) Nieuwl. & Lunell)
- Impatiens biflora f. peasei (A.H.Moore ex Weath.)
- Impatiens noli-tangere subsp. biflora ((Walter) Hultén)
- Balsamina fulva ((Nutt.) Ser.)
- Impatiens biflora f. platymeris (Weath.)
- Impatiens fulva (Nutt.)
- Impatiens biflora f. biflora (Fosberg)
- Impatiens fulva f. albiflora (E.L.Rand & Redfield)
- Impatiens biflora f. citrina (Weath.)
- Impatiens biflora f. immaculata (Weath.)
- Impatiens capensis f. citrina ((Weath.) Fernald & B.G.Schub.)
- Impatiens capensis f. immaculata ((Weath.) Fernald & B.G.Schub.)
- Impatiens capensis f. peasei ((A.H.Moore ex Weath.) Fernald & B.G.Schub.)
- Impatiens capensis f. platymeris ((Weath.) Fernald & B.G.Schub.)
- Impatiens biflora f. albiflora (Weath.)
- Impatiens biflora (Walter)
- Impatiens nortonii (Rydb.)
- Impatiens capensis f. albiflora ((E.L.Rand & Redfield) Fernald & B.G.Schub.)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Alberta (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Delaware (native)
- District of Columbia (native)
- Florida (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Idaho (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Maine (native)
- Manitoba (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New York (native)
- Newfoundland (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- North Dakota (native)
- Northwest Territorie (native)
- Nova Scotia (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Prince Edward I. (native)
- Québec (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- Saskatchewan (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Texas (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Virginia (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Belgium (introduced)
- British Columbia (introduced)
- Denmark (introduced)
- Finland (introduced)
- France (introduced)
- Germany (introduced)
- Great Britain (introduced)
- Japan (introduced)
- Mexico Northeast (introduced)
- Netherlands (introduced)
- Oregon (introduced)
- Poland (introduced)
- Switzerland (introduced)
- Washington (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Aug 7, 2021 by Mary Cook (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 22, 2018 by Yara Adam (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 8, 2019 by David Behrmann (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 7, 2021 by Mary May (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 8, 2019 by _aannna_ (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Dec 19, 2020 by Trisha Burch (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 21, 2021 by Richard Wideman (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 19, 2021 by Mark W (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 4, 2020 by Monika Chmielewska (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 18, 2021 by Cara P (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Sep 5, 2021 by Edith Bellehumeur (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 15, 2019 by Emma Emma Swendsen (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 12, 2021 by Matthias Foellmer (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 12, 2019 by Scott Emma-Jean (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 12, 2019 by Scott Emma-Jean (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jul 29, 2022 by Gilles Mutin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 13, 2019 by Loren Wang (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 14, 2021 by Bryce Avot (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 20, 2018 by Kristen Nelson (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 15, 2019 by planthonson planthony (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Other
Taken Sep 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Aug 26, 2022 by Laura Bonet (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 2, 2020 by j laserblast (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 28, 2019 by tremblay stephanie (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 28, 2020 by stephanie jayne (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Sep 27, 2021 by Sarah Cornell (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 10, 2021 by sylvie toupin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 1, 2022 by simard qu marc (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Aug 20, 2019 by lnu’skw (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2891774)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30008241-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Impatiens capensis Meerb.)
Specifications
Growth form: Single Crown
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth rate: Rapid
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.4
Ph minimum: 6.4
Light: 5
Atmospheric humidity: 8
Soil nutriments: 7