Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), also known as spotted jewelweed or touch-me-not, is a widespread annual plant found across North America. This guide helps you identify jewelweed by focusing on its unique visual features, typical growing environments, and how to distinguish it from similar plants.
Visual Characteristics
Jewelweed stems typically grow 2 to 5 feet tall. They are smooth, translucent, and succulent, often appearing glassy and snapping easily when bent. This high water content can make the stem appear swollen at the nodes.
Leaves are oval to egg-shaped, 2.5 to 5 inches long, and arranged alternately along the stem. Their edges have coarse, rounded teeth. A striking characteristic is the silvery sheen that appears on the leaves when submerged in water, causing water droplets to bead up like jewels.
Jewelweed flowers bloom from mid-summer until the first frost. These trumpet-shaped flowers are bright orange to orange-yellow, often with reddish-brown spots. Each flower hangs from a slender stalk and features a prominent nectar spur that curves backward.
After flowering, jewelweed produces elongated, green seed pods. These pods are known for their explosive dehiscence, earning the plant its “touch-me-not” nickname. When mature, a slight touch causes them to burst open, coiling rapidly and flinging tiny seeds several feet away.
Typical Habitats
Jewelweed thrives in moist, shaded environments. It is frequently found in low woodlands, along the margins of bogs and marshes, and particularly along stream banks and ditches. The plant prefers humus-rich soil and often forms dense, extensive patches in these damp areas.
Its preference for consistent moisture means it commonly colonizes disturbed, wet habitats like road cuts and floodplains. While it tolerates some sun, it grows best in partial to full shade where the soil remains consistently damp.
Common Look-Alikes
Pale Jewelweed (Impatiens pallida), a close relative, is often confused with Impatiens capensis due to shared habitat and growth habits. The primary differentiator is flower color: Impatiens pallida has larger, pale yellow flowers with a shorter nectar spur, compared to the orange, often spotted flowers of Impatiens capensis. While both can have spots, Impatiens capensis exhibits more numerous and pronounced red spots.
Leaf appearance also differs: Impatiens pallida leaves can show more color contrast with lighter veins and margins, while Impatiens capensis leaves are more uniformly green. Additionally, Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), an invasive look-alike, has pink or purple flowers, clearly distinguishing it from native jewelweed species.