Jewelweed leaves emerge from the soil in early spring, the plant continuing to grow and mature until it finally begins to bloom in mid-to-late summer, and on through early fall. The name ‘Jewelweed’ has a few explanations, but the one I like best is that it’s a reflection of the fact that the surface of Jewelweed leaves causes water to bead up, glistening like a jewel.
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) with Sweat Bee (Halictid species). Notice the jewel-like drops and silvery sheen of water on the leaves.
There are two Jewelweed species that are common in eastern North America. One has orange flowers with dark reddish-orange spots or lines at the throat. Some common names for this orange-flowered species are Jewelweed, Spotted Jewelweed, or Spotted Touch-me-not (Impatiens capensis).
Jewelweed or Spotted Touch-me-not (Impatiens capensis)
The other species has yellow flowers, sometimes with reddish-brown dots at the throat, and is known as Pale Jewelweed, Yellow Jewelweed or Pale Touch-me-not (Impatiens pallida).
Pale Jewelweed or Pale Touch-me-not (Impatiens pallida)
These Jewelweed species are annuals, meaning that each plant dies at the end of the growing season. In order for the species to continue to survive, it must produce seeds each year. Jewelweed has two strategies to make sure that happens.
Jewelweed’s primary strategy for reproduction is to produce showy flowers that will entice animals to visit, and transfer pollen from one plant to another, successfully achieving cross-pollination.
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) with Bumble Bee (Bombus species)
When Jewelweed flowers open, their male reproductive parts (the stamens), mature first, making pollen available for transfer from the anthers at the stamen tips.
Pale Jewelweed (Impatiens pallida) with mature stamens at the inside top of the entrance of the blossom
Later, the stamens wither and are replaced by the female reproductive parts (the pistils), the receptive stigmas at their tips waiting for a flower visitor to brush them with pollen.
Jewelweed (Impatiens pallida) with mature pistil at the inside top of the entrance of the blossom. (Being visited by a mystery critter!)
Jewelweed’s showy flowers produce plenty of nectar to lure potential pollinators to visit. The nectar is found in long spurs at the back of the tubular flowers, so a visitor with a long tongue is most likely to have success accessing this treat. The orange-flowered Jewelweed attracts a broad variety of insect visitors, including several bee species,
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) with Bumble Bee (Bombus species)
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) with Yellow Bumble Bee (Bombus fervidus)
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) with Honey Bee
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) with Sweat Bee (Agapostemon species)
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) with Sweat Bee (Halictid species)
flies,
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) with Flower Fly (Copestylum species)
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) with Flower Fly (Syrphid species)
wasps,
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) with Yellowjacket
and even beetles.
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) with Northern Corn Rootworm Beetles
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) with beetle, probably Spotted Cucumber Beetle
These beetles are interested in consuming floral tissue, and are probably not very helpful in assisting Jewelweed in attaining its pollination goal.
Given their anatomy and feeding style, Bumble Bees are among the most likely to help successfully pollinate the flowers. They are the most frequent visitors to Pale Jewelweed.
Pale Jewelweed (Impatiens pallida) with Bumble Bee (Bombus species), at Morrisville Riverfront Preserve, Morrisville, PA
Pale Jewelweed (Impatiens pallida) with Bumble Bee (Bombus species) with back brushing stamens as it enters the flower, at Morrisville Riverfront Preserve, Morrisville, PA
Even in the insect world there are individuals who like to cut corners and get something for nothing. There are insects that cheat, chewing through the spur to directly access the nectar. These insects by-pass the flower opening and its reproductive parts, so they’re no help to Jewelweed in its pollination mission.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are valuable pollination partners for Jewelweed. As these energetic little birds move from one Jewelweed flower to another, they are likely to pick up pollen on their heads as they brush against the anthers at the inside top of the flower entrance, subsequently depositing the pollen on the stigma of another flower. In return, Jewelweed provides an important nectar source for them in late summer and early fall.
Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The name ‘Touch-me-not’ reflects the explosive spring-action opening of ripe fruit capsules. The slightest touch will trigger it, projecting the seeds for a distance of several feet.
Ripe Pale Jewelweed fruit capsule
The ripe capsule opens at the slightest touch
Animal seed eaters include Ruffed Grouse, Bobwhites, mice and shrews.
Jewelweed also has a back-up plan for producing seed, one that doesn’t rely on the assistance of a third party for pollen transportation. In addition to the showy flowers that entice pollinators, Jewelweed produces cleistogamous flowers, a type of flower that doesn’t open and is self-fertilized. When the fruit capsules produced from these flowers open, the seeds fall in the vicinity of the parent plant. The combination of the two types of flowers may allow Jewelweed to hold its existing territory, and extend it a bit.
Jewelweed contains lawsone, a compound with antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties. Jewelweed has been used to treat poison ivy exposure, and stings from stinging nettle and insects.
Jewelweed prefers moist soil, and is often found along streams, in wet meadows, roadsides, swamps and open woods.
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis ) at Wiessner Woods, Stowe, Vermont
It may establish a large colony, with individual plants often growing to a height of 5 feet (1.5 meters).
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis ) at Wiessner Woods, Stowe, Vermont
The orange-flowered Jewelweed’s (Impatiens capensis) range includes the eastern two-thirds of the United States plus Idaho, Oregon and Washington, and all Canadian provinces and territories, except Nunavit. Pale Jewelweed (Impatiens pallida) is less common, and more of an eastern species. It can be found from Newfoundland and Labrador, west to Ontario and eastern North Dakota, and as far south as eastern Oklahoma and South Carolina.
Resources
Eastman, John. The Book of Swamp and Bog. 1995.
Eaton, Eric R.; Kauffman, Ken. Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America. 2007.
Evans, Arthur V. Beetles of Eastern North America. 2014.
Foster, Steven; Duke, James A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs of Eastern and Central North America. 2000.
Moerman, Daniel E. Native American Ethnobotany. 1998.
Rhoads, Ann Fowler; Block, Timothy A. The Plants of Pennsylvania. 2007
Colla, Sheila; Richardson, Leif; Williams, Paul. Bumble Bees of the Eastern United States. 2011
USDA Forest Service Plant of the Week – Jewelweed
USDA NRCS Plant Database Impatiens capensis
USDA NRDS Plant Database Impatiens pallida
The Natural Web 