Pale Jewelweed

Pale Jewelweed (Impatiens pallida) is a fascinating, lush annual plant native to the moist, shaded wetlands and forests of eastern North America. Reaching heights of up to two meters, this robust herb is famous for its delicate, pale-yellow flowers that hang gracefully like tiny slippers. Its translucent, succulent stems are filled with a watery sap that has been valued for generations as a natural remedy for soothing skin irritations caused by poison ivy and stinging nettles. What truly captivates nature enthusiasts is its ingenious method of seed dispersal. Late in the season, its mature green seed capsules become highly pressurized; the slightest touch triggers them to explode, catapulting seeds several feet away. Can you find a Pale Jewelweed? Log it and verify its identity with the Snappit app.

Habitat: Typically found in moist, shaded environments such as deciduous forests, stream banks, ravines, and wet ditches.