Impatiens capensis, otherwise known as the ‘spotted jewelweed’ or ‘spotted touch-me-not’ of the family, Balsaminaceae, was observed 2014 September 12 in Newark, Ohio. Impatiens capensis are native to North America. This plant was found outside in an open, shaded-cultivated lawn, growing along the north-east side of a building in moist soil. This plant can be best described as an orange flower with red-brown spots; the flower is made up of a three-lobed corolla (petal), a calyx (sepal) about an inch long with a short inward-curved spur at the back; alternate leaves (a single leaf attached to a node) that are egg-shaped with crenate margins (round-toothed edge); and the stems are succulent (thick and fleshy) with darkened nodes. Interesting facts about this plant are the fruits and the leaves. When the fruit becomes ripe, the slightest touch can make the seeds explode out of the pod, which is why it is named ‘touch-me-not’ (below is a photograph of a ripened fruit with seeds in the pod. Lastly, when the leaves are submerged underwater they appear silver or ‘jeweled’ given the name ‘jewelweed’ (attached is a video of a Impatiens capensis leaf submerged underwater ).
Ripened fruit with seeds in pod.
The touch-me-not’s are one of my favorite type of flowers, I found the same impatiens capensis near my apartment in Iuka Park walking home from class today. Their method of seed dispersal is so interesting, and not to mention entertaining.
Your pictures show a very nice example of a zygomorphic flower. Additionally, do you know if the inflorescence of this plant is considered solitary?