Jewelweed sightings are surging across nature-tracking apps right now
iNaturalist Community
Native Plants
The orange, spotted flowers popping up along shady streambanks and woodland edges right now are jewelweed in peak bloom, and its seed pods explode at the lightest touch, making it one of the most satisfying plants to find with kids or on a fall walk.
Jewelweed is a native wildflower with dangling orange flowers that grows in damp, shady spots like stream edges and wet woods. Right now it's blooming heavily, which is why so many people on nature apps are photographing and logging it this week. Its nickname, touch-me-not, comes from its seed pods, which pop open and fling seeds when you brush against them.
Key Findings
1,425 research-grade observations of Impatiens capensis were logged in a single week
The spike marks jewelweed as one of the most-observed plant species on iNaturalist this week
High observation counts typically track peak bloom timing for this native annual wildflower
chevron_right Technical Summary
Common jewelweed is having a big moment on iNaturalist, with 1,425 verified sightings logged in a single week, showing this native wildflower is blooming widely right now and easy to spot.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
Trending: common jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) — 1425 observations this week
common jewelweed is among the most observed plant species this week with 1425 research-grade observations.
open_in_new Read full abstractAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Species Mentioned
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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...