Touch-me-not Impatiens pallida
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Touch-me-not:
- 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:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
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
