Impatiens pallida (Yellow jewelweed)

Impatiens pallida Nutt.

Yellow jewelweed

Kingdom	Plantae	Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta	Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division	Magnoliophyta	Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class	Magnoliopsida	Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
Subclass	Rosidae	Roses, legumes, proteas, dogwoods, hydrangeas, mistletoes, euphorbias, grapes, many more
Order	Geraniales	Balsams, mustards, geraniums, wood sorrels, nasturtiums, others
Family	Balsaminaceae	Balsam family, mostly impatiens
Genus	Impatiens	Latin for “impatient,” a reference to the exploding fruits
Species	pallida	Pale

About plant names...

Yellow jewelweed is a North American native plant. Impatiens means “impatient,” a reference to the fact that dried seed capsules burst open when touched. Pallida means ”pale,” because these flowers are pale compared to those of the closely related species spotted jewelweed. They prefer regions that are at least seasonally wet and partially shaded, such as creek beds or damp soils. Spotted and yellow jewelweed prefer similar habitats and are often found close to each other.

Plants: 3-5' (1-1.5 m) high, with translucent and rather fragile stems.

Leaves: Leaves are bluish-green, oval-shaped, with shallow teeth, about 1½-3" (3.8-7.6 cm) × ½-1¼" (1.3-3.2 cm).

Flowers: Flowers occur in clusters of one to three, appearing from July to September. Viewed from the side, flowers are shaped a bit like a horn of plenty, yellow or pale yellow, with two large lower petals and one upper petal. There are usually a few red-brown spots within the throat of the flower, but none elsewhere. Each flower is about ¾" (1.9 cm) in size.

Fruits: The seed pods, about ¾-1¼" (1.9-3.2 cm) long, spread their seeds by drying into a spring-loaded form that pops upon contact.

These are closely similar:

8/9/2010 · Keyes Farm, Nashoba Conservation Trust, Elm St., Pepperell, Massachusetts
≈ 11 × 7" (28 × 18 cm)

8/9/2010 · Keyes Farm, Nashoba Conservation Trust, Elm St., Pepperell, Massachusetts
≈ 5 × 3" (12 × 8.4 cm)

	*Impatiens capensis*	You are here Impatiens pallida
Common Name	spotted jewelweed	yellow jewelweed
Plant	3-5' (1-1.5 m) high, with translucent and rather fragile stems.	3-5' (1-1.5 m) high, with translucent and rather fragile stems.
Flowers	Flowers occur in clusters of one to three. Viewed from the side, flowers are shaped a bit like a horn of plenty, yellow, with two large lower petals and one upper petal, *with spots or patches of red-orange*. Each flower is about ¾" (1.9 cm) in size. They may appear orange rather than yellow from the front.	Flowers occur in clusters of one to three, appearing from July to September. Viewed from the side, flowers are shaped a bit like a horn of plenty, *yellow or pale yellow*, with two large lower petals and one upper petal. There are usually a few red-brown spots within the throat of the flower, but none elsewhere. Each flower is about ¾" (1.9 cm) in size.
Leaves	Bluish-green, oval-shaped, with shallow teeth, about 4" (10 cm) × 1¾" (5 cm).	Bluish-green, oval-shaped, with shallow teeth, about 1½-3" (3.8-7.6 cm) × ½-1¼" (1.3-3.2 cm).
Fruit	The seed pods, about ¾-1¼" (1.9-3.2 cm) long, spread their seeds by drying into a spring-loaded form that pops upon contact, delighting children.	The seed pods, about ¾-1¼" (1.9-3.2 cm) long, spread their seeds by drying into a spring-loaded form that pops upon contact.
Range/ Zones
Habitats	Moist ground, low woods, slopes, stream banks, ravines. Spotted and yellow jewelweed prefer similar habitats and are often found close to each other.	Regions that are at least seasonally wet and partially shaded, such as creek beds or damp soils. Spotted and yellow jewelweed prefer similar habitats and are often found close to each other.
Type	Wild	Wild
Occurrence	Common; invasive in some areas

Medical: Yellow jewelweed is believed by many to have mild antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties, but see the article on spotted jewelweed, which is much more effective.

Online References:

Impatiens pallida on Missouriplants.com

Impatiens pallida on www.jeffpippen.com

Impatiens pallida on hort.net

Impatiens pallida at Illinois Wildflowers

Impatiens pallida on Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants

Impatiens pallida at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Impatiens pallida on CalPhotos

Impatiens pallida at Maine.gov’s Department of Conservation Maine Natural Areas Program

8/9/2010 · Keyes Farm, Nashoba Conservation Trust, Elm St., Pepperell, Massachusetts
≈ 4½ × 6" (11 × 15 cm)

Impatiens pallida description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

8/9/2010 · Keyes Farm, Nashoba Conservation Trust, Elm St., Pepperell, Massachusetts
≈ 6 × 4" (15 × 10 cm)

Range:

About this map...