Jewelweed flowers and fruit

Impatiens capensis

Description:

Close-up photos of Jewelweed flowers and "fruit" (seed pods). Jewelweed is also commonly known as "Touch-me-not." "The seed pods are pendant and have projectile seeds that explode out of the pods when they are lightly touched, if ripe, which is where the name 'touch-me-not' comes from." Source Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impatiens_c... Photo 2 of 4 is a copy of Photo 3, kindly annotated by Project Noah spotter "AshleyBradford" in order to highlight the flower buds and seed pods; Photo 3 of 4 is the original photograph. Ashley's comment on my initial spotting of Jewelweed piqued my curiosity about the meaning of "Touch-me-not," which led to further discussion. I'm eager to revisit the site to see what happens when the seed pods are touched. More later in a follow-up post. In the meantime, check out a video clip showing what happens when you touch a "Touch-me-not" (Impatiens glandulifera): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Impati... Editor's Note: An iPhone 3GS camera is not well-suited for macro photography. For better quality photos, see Noah Ranger Dan Doucette's "Jewelweed" spotting: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/722...

Habitat:

The plant covered a broad area in a clearing of a deciduous forest, between two forks of an intermittent stream running through the "Wildlife Sanctuary," one of seven small parks owned and maintained by the Community Association of Hollin Hills, Fairfax County, Virginia USA. Related Resource: http://waltersanford.blogspot.com/2010/1...

Notes:

Species ID Suggestions

4 Comments

Geodialist 12 years ago

Thanks for the kind words, Alice! My goal is to provide some useful &/or insightful information for all of my spottings -- nice that a ranger recognizes my efforts!