Flower ID: IMG_1763.JPG-08-13-2017 Flower name (scientific): Impatiens capensis Meerburgh PY: 1775. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) im-PAY-shuns ka-PEN-sis Flower name (common): Spotted Touch-me-not Family name (common): Touch-me-not Family name (scientific): Balsaminaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Latin for impatient. Refers to the dehiscence (explosive action) of the fruit capsules to disperse seeds. Specific epithet: From the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. Common name origin: From the red to orange spots commonly occurring on the flower and the dehiscence of the fruit. Flower description: Size: 0.5 to 0.8 inches (1.3 to 2.0 cm) Petal count: 5 Color: Orange, with red spots, which can densely merge to give a major red coloration. A yellow color variation with no red spots is also possible. Other: flower arrangement, Raceme Plant description: Erect Size: 12 to 72 inches (61 to 183 cm) tall. Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple Size: Leaves up to 12 to 20 cm long and up to 6 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, ovate (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Very common Bloom time (typical): July to September Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Annual Habitat: Woods, forests, meadows, thickets, streambanks, swamps, sun or shade, moist. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Impatiens pallida (Pale Touch-me-not) is similar, but this species can be distinguished by its larger yellow flowers that have red spots. Less commonly observed is Impatiens capensis without any red spots or red coloration on the petals, but its flower size is a key to differentiating this from Impatiens pallida. Ethnobotany: The whole plant was used by the Menominee to produce an orange-yellow dye. The Ojibwe used the fresh juice of this plant as a cure for headaches. Like the Menominee, the Ojibwe and the Potawatomi also prepared a yellow dye from this plant (Smith, p. 78, 1923; Smith, pp. 357-358, 425, 1932; Smith p. 118, 1933). The Potawatomi utilized the fresh juice of this plant to treat nettle stings and poison ivy contact. They also used an infusion of the entire plant as a treament for chest colds, stomach cramps, sprains, and bruises (Smith, pp. 37-38, 1933). The Meskwaki employed the plant to produce a poultice to cure sores and used the juice from this plant to treat nettle stings (Smith, p. 205, 1928). Smith refers to this plant by the old synonym Impatiens biflora. The Chippewa used the bruised stems of this species to treat a rash or other skin issues (Gilmore, p. 136, 1933). Latitude: Longitude: Altitude: Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV) In Canada: (AB, BC, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na