Jewelweed sightings are spiking across nature apps this week
iNaturalist Community
Native Plants
If you've got a damp, shady patch of yard or walk near a creek, this is peak season to spot jewelweed's dangling orange flowers and popping seed pods before they disappear until next year.
Jewelweed is a native wildflower that grows in wet, shady spots and produces small orange flowers shaped like little hats. Right now it's one of the most-photographed plants on iNaturalist, with almost 900 people confirming sightings in just one week. It's a great plant to learn to recognize because its ripe seed pods burst open at the slightest touch, flinging seeds everywhere, which is how it got its nickname 'touch-me-not'.
Key Findings
879 research-grade observations of common jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) were logged this week
The species ranks among the most-observed plants on iNaturalist during this period
High observation volume indicates jewelweed is currently in an easily identifiable bloom or fruiting stage across its range
chevron_right Technical Summary
Common jewelweed is having a big moment on iNaturalist, with 879 verified sightings logged by citizen scientists this week, showing this native wildflower is blooming and easy to spot right now.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
Trending: common jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) — 879 observations this week
common jewelweed is among the most observed plant species this week with 879 research-grade observations.
open_in_new Read full abstractAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Species Mentioned
Was this useful?
Want to tell us more? (optional)
Thanks for the note!
Something went wrong — please try again.
Too many submissions. Try again in an hour.
Street trees cut heat deaths by 39 percent in European cities
Trees in your local park or street aren't just pretty — they are literally keeping people alive during heatwaves, and planting even a modest number of the ri...
Impatiens capensis, the orange jewelweed, common jewelweed, spotted jewelweed, jewelweed, spotted touch-me-not, or orange balsam, is an annual plant in the family Balsaminaceae that is native to North America. It is common in bottomland soils, ditches, and along creeks, often growing side by sid...