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Pale Touch-me-not Impatiens pallida

Phonetic Spelling
im-PAY-shuns PAL-lid-duh
Description

Yellow Jewelweed is a colorful annual wildflower often found uncultivated along roadsides, in moist forests, and along streambanks and bogs. As a mature plant in the summer, it will reach a height of 5 feet and a width of 2 to 3 feet. This plant has seed capsules that spring open as the seed ripens and ejecting the seed a considerable distance. These capsules are sensitive to touch and make seed collection difficult but fun, especially for young gardeners. The root system consists of a shallow branching taproot.Yellow Jewelweed has attractive foliage and is noted for its large interesting flowers that bloom over an extended period of time. The genus name comes from the Latin impatiens meaning impatient and refers to the violent seed discharge from the ripe pods. Dew often beads up on the leaves forming sparkling droplets, thus the common name jewelweed.

Yellow Jewelweed can grow in well-drained, moist, sandy, loamy, or clay soils and prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. It can grow in semi-shade or full sun. The plant prefers partial sun and soil that is mucky. Yellow Jewelweed tolerates dry conditions better than most impatiens species and grows rapidly from seed during the summer.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:

No known insect or disease problems. Can self-seed and spread.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#stream banks#moist soil#NC native#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#Audubon#boggy sites#wildflower
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#stream banks#moist soil#NC native#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#Audubon#boggy sites#wildflower
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Impatiens
    Species:
    pallida
    Family:
    Balsaminaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern North America
    Distribution:
    From Newfoundland and Saskatchewan in Canada, south as far as Georgia.
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, bumblebees, and moths. Large seeds are eaten by gamebirds and small mammals.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Capsules contain seed and are sensitive to touch. They will spring open and eject the seeds inside a considerable distance.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Colored Sepals
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Nodding pale yellow flowers that are occasionally splotched with reddish brown. Racemes of 1 to 3 flowers are produced. Each flower is 1 to 1ΒΌ inches long, consisting of 5 petals, 3 sepals, and reproductive organs within a yellow or cream-colored tubular corolla.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are 4 inches long and 2 inches across, ovate and hairless. Slender petioles are up to 2 inches long
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Succulent, translucent stems are light green, glabrous, and glaucous
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Riparian
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals