Names and Myths

Impatiens from the sudden bursting of the capsules when ripe.

pallida pale

Natural history / Folklore

Used as a yellow dye, cure for poison ivy, and as a pot herb.⁶ Deer like it as forage. Native species, taken to England where it has become naturalized.¹¹

Flowers are protandrous, male parts mature first, then decline, female parts develop after the male parts decline.⁸ In moist places can reach 5’ to 6’ in height.¹⁵ Ruby-throated hummingbirds are a major pollinator of jewelweeds, their bills being long enough to reach the nectar, then pick up pollen and transport it to the next flower.¹⁷

Description

Pale yellow flowers fewer yellow spots than I. capensis. Moist shaddy places along streams