Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis and Impatiens pallida), often called Spotted Touch-Me-Not or Orange Balsam, is a common annual wildflower of North America recognized for its unique flowers and traditional use in natural remedies. Jewelweed grows in dense patches throughout its native range, making it a distinctive plant to locate.
Identifying Jewelweed
The jewelweed stem is smooth, succulent, and semi-translucent. This weak, watery stem can range in color from pale green to a reddish-green hue, giving the plant a somewhat glass-like appearance. The leaves are oval-shaped with coarsely toothed margins and are arranged alternately along the stem. Water or dew often beads up on the leaves, sparkling like jewels, which is one source of its common name.
The flowers are the most distinctive feature, blooming from mid-summer until the first frost. Impatiens capensis displays trumpet-shaped flowers that are a vibrant orange-yellow color, typically speckled with reddish-brown spots. Impatiens pallida features similar flowers, but they are pale yellow and sparingly spotted. Both species produce elongated green seed capsules that explosively eject their seeds at the slightest touch, earning the plant the name Touch-Me-Not.
Preferred Habitats and Geographic Range
Jewelweed is a native annual plant found throughout Eastern and Central North America, extending into southern Canada. It is widespread and common within this native range, thriving in conditions that provide consistent moisture. The plant grows best in rich, humusy soil that remains moist to wet, making it a predictable resident of certain landscapes.
Jewelweed requires partial to full shade, and it is rarely found growing in open, sunny fields. Its preferred habitats are almost always near a water source, such as along stream banks, ditches, and the edges of lakes and ponds. Look for it in low woodlands, marshy areas, floodplains, and the damp soil of bogs. The presence of jewelweed often indicates a high water table or poor drainage in the surrounding area.
A helpful indicator for locating jewelweed is that it often grows in the same moist, shaded areas as poison ivy and poison oak. This proximity is a reliable signpost for those seeking the plant, as the two species share similar habitat requirements. Jewelweed is generally not found west of the Rocky Mountains, though some populations of Impatiens capensis have been noted in the Pacific Northwest.
Why People Seek Jewelweed
People search for jewelweed primarily for the sap contained within its stems and leaves, which has a long history of traditional use. Native Americans and early settlers used the plant topically for a variety of skin ailments. It is commonly sought for its ability to provide relief from the rash and itching associated with contact with urushiol, the oily resin found in poison ivy and poison oak.
To use it, the stems and leaves are typically crushed to release the watery sap, which is then applied directly to the affected skin. The sap is also sought after for soothing the irritation caused by stinging nettles and insect bites. The plant’s sap contains compounds, such as lawsone, that are believed to have anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine properties.