Yellow Jewelweed (Impatiens pallida)

     
Yellow Jewelweed (Impatiens pallida)

Yellow jewelweed is a native, annual wildflower found throughout Wisconsin. It typically grows 3 to 6 feet tall, with succulent, somewhat translucent stems that branch occasionally. The leaves are thin, egg-shaped (ovate), with coarse, broad teeth and slender, elongated stalks.

Its nodding yellow flowers are about an inch long and have a distinctive structure: a pouch-like lower sepal with a short spur, and three true petals—two lateral and one fused lower petal that forms a lip. These delicate blooms attract hummingbirds and bees, and the plant is known for its touch-sensitive seed pods that burst open when ripe.

Yellow jewelweed thrives in moist, deciduous woodlands and along woodland edges, preferring rich soils and partial to full sun. It often grows alongside its orange-flowered cousin, Impatiens capensis (Spotted Jewelweed), and plays a valuable role in supporting native biodiversity.

 Yellow jewelweed plays a significant role in Wisconsin’s moist woodland ecosystems. Its nectar-rich flowers support hummingbirds, bees, and other native pollinators, while its touch-sensitive seed pods provide forage for small mammals and birds. By forming dense colonies, it helps stabilize soil, cycle nutrients, and even compete with invasive species like garlic mustard. It even offers subtle medicinal value, historically used to soothe skin irritations from poison ivy and nettles.  (SF)