The Jewels of Jewelweed

These droplets are some of the jewels of jewelweed. Schenley, 26 August 2026 (photo by Kate St. John) 30 August 2026 Yellow jewelweed (Impatiens pallida) and spotted touch-me-not or orange jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) are at their peak in Schenley Park. Last week I examined them from many angles and documented how prolific they are. Above, water droplets hang from the tip of each scallop on the leaf. These are some of the jewels of jewelweed, as Katherine Wagner-Reiss explains at the Morris Arboretum blog: There are several popular explanations for the common name jewelweed: the bright spotted orange flowers [of Impatiens capensis] are said to be as pretty as ladies? earrings; rain, dew, and guttation droplets on the leaves sparkle like gems in the sun; and submerged leaves have a silvery sheen due to microscopic hairs. — Morris Arboretum: Plant Name Blooper: Impatiens capensis (jewelweed) On a wet morning there are many jewels to choose from. Dew beads up on orange jewelweed at…