Orange Jewelweed

Description:

Orange and red spotted flower. The stem is on top of the flower instead of the bottom making it look reversed or upside down. Tiny seed pods will explode and fling seeds when disturbed or touched. I assume a natural defense mechanism.

Habitat:

Sandy creekbank. Very wet.

Notes:

Erasmus Darwin's poem. " with fierce distracted eye Impatiens stands Swells her pale cheeks and brandishes her hands With rage and hate the astonished groves alarm And flings her infants from her frantic arms" 'Impatiens noli-tangere ' " noli me tangere" . (.. Touch me not) were the words spoken by Christ to Mary Magdalene after the Resurrection