Family: Balsaminaceae
pale touch-me-not, yellow jewelweed, yellow touch-me-not
Dennis W. Woodland
John M. Schoeneker
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
Etymology: Impatiens: Latin for "impatient" referring to explosive action of fruit to disperse seed
Plants: erect, annual, 2'-6' tall forb, smooth, branched near the top; stems watery inside
Leaves: soft, long-stalked
Flowers: yellow, 5 (looks like 3)-parted, 1"-1 1/2" long, tubular shape, drooping on thin stalks, spurred and lipped; inflorescence a widely-spreading cluster (raceme) from the leaf axils; blooms July-Sept.
Fruits: long, narrow capsule, exploding when ripe
Habitat: moist; woods, forests, meadows, streambanks
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, annual, 2'-6' tall forb, smooth, branched near the top; stems watery inside
Leaves: soft, long-stalked
Flowers: yellow, 5 (looks like 3)-parted, 1"-1 1/2" long, tubular shape, drooping on thin stalks, spurred and lipped; inflorescence a widely-spreading cluster (raceme) from the leaf axils; blooms July-Sept.
Fruits: long, narrow capsule, exploding when ripe
Habitat: moist; woods, forests, meadows, streambanks
Conservation Status: Native
Moist woods, streambanks, and cliffs; preferring slightly drier sites than I. capensis.
Scattered throughout the state, more common in the southwest, especially along the Mississippi River and its tributaries.
Difficult to distinguish from I. capensis when not in flower, but the vegetative traits in the key provide a useful means for distinguishing the two species. As with I. capensis, several color forms exist. In Wisconsin, we seem to have only white-flowered variants, which are rarely encountered.
Scattered throughout the state, more common in the southwest, especially along the Mississippi River and its tributaries.
Difficult to distinguish from I. capensis when not in flower, but the vegetative traits in the key provide a useful means for distinguishing the two species. As with I. capensis, several color forms exist. In Wisconsin, we seem to have only white-flowered variants, which are rarely encountered.
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 6, Wetland Indicator = FACW USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"
John M. Schoeneker
Derek Anderson
Botanical Illustration
Paul Skawinski
Christopher Noll
John M. Schoeneker
Derek Anderson
