How to identify Spotted touch-me-not (Impatiens capensis)
Spotted touch-me-not, also known as Orange balsam, Common jewelweed
The plant grows as a luscious annual reaching heights between 3 to 5 feet (91 to 152 cm). It possesses a slightly translucent stem, topped with alternate leaves that feature finely toothed edges and a softly downy underside. These leaves set the stage for striking flowers, often a vivid orangish-yellow accented with deep, contrasting spots, typically blooming in early fall. As the season wanes, spotted touch-me-not develops unique seed capsules known for their explosive dehiscence, flinging seeds into the surrounding moist habitat.
Lifespan: Annual
Plant Type: Herb
Leaf Type: Deciduous
Luscious annual with translucent stem, reaching 3-5 feet (91-152 cm) in height.
Leaves are oval, coarsely toothed, bluish-green, with fuzzy undersides, 1.5-3.5 inches (4-9 cm) long.
Vibrant orange to orange-yellow flowers, 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, with reddish-brown spots.
Seed capsules with explosive dehiscence, scatter tiny seeds widely for effective distribution.
Distinct vein pattern on leaves, enhancing identifiable characteristics of the plant.
Spotted touch-me-not leaves are oval and coarsely toothed, ranging from 1.5 to 3.5 inches (approximately 4 to 9 cm) in length. They display a bluish-green hue and are alternately arranged along the stem. Each leaf is thin, with an elliptic to egg-shaped form and densely serrated edges. The undersides are partly fuzzy, adding a soft texture. Notable for their coarseness and coloration, these leaves possess a distinct vein pattern that enhances their identifiable characteristics.
Spotted touch-me-not features vibrant orange to orange-yellow, cornucopia-shaped flowers, approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, with distinctive reddish-brown spots. Blooming from June until frost, each flower dangles gracefully from a leaf axil on a slender stalk. The flower's three sepals extend backward into a spur, while its five petals vary in size. The flower also includes five stamens and a pistil formed by five united carpels, creating a striking, intricate appearance.
The fruit of spotted touch-me-not is a slender seed capsule, notable for its ability to burst open upon ripening. The capsule's explosive dehiscence is a distinct feature, triggered with a gentle touch, designed to scatter tiny seeds widely. The elongated shape of the fruit, combined with a green to tan color palette, complements the plant's aesthetics. Texturally, the outer surface of the fruit is smooth, a housing for the numerous, minuscule seeds that lie within. This dispersal mechanism ensures effective seed distribution for spotted touch-me-not.
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Scientific Classification of Spotted touch-me-not
