Flower ID: IMG_2011.JPG-09-10-2017 Flower name (scientific): Impatiens pallida Nuttall PY: 1818. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) im-PAY-shuns PAL-lid-duh Flower name (common): Pale Touch-me-not Family name (common): Touch-me-not Family name (scientific): Balsaminaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: Latin for impatient. Refers to the sudden dehiscence (explosive action) of the fruit to disperse seeds. Specific epithet: Latin for pale, yellow-green. Common name origin: From the flower color and dehiscence of the fruit. Flower description: Size: 0.8 to 1.5 inches (2.0 to 3.8 cm) Petal count: 5 Color: Yellow with red spots. Other: flower arrangement, Raceme Plant description: Erect Size: 24 to 72 inches (61 to 183 cm) Stem hairy: glabrous Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple Size: Leaves up to 12 cm and above long and up to 8 cm wide. Color: medium green Hairy: glabrous Other: Shape: leaf, ovate (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): July to September Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Annual Habitat: Woods, forests, meadows, streambanks, swamps, shade or part shade, moist. Fruit: Capsules about 14 to 20 mm in length. When mature, strongly dehiscent. Seed: Dark brown in color, about 5 to 6 mm in length. Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Impatiens capensis is similar, but this species has a smaller flowers and often has patches of red on the petals, whereas Impatiens pallida has red spots. There is a less commonly observed Impatiens capensis without any red spots or red coloration on the petals, but that can be distinguished from Impatiens pallida by the larger flower size and the red spots of the latter species. Mature leaves of Impatiens capensis typically have less than 9 teeth per side, whereas Impatiens pallida have typically 9 or more teeth per side. Ethnobotany: 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: (Ashland, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Calumet, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Dunn, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Outagamie, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Waupaca, Waushara, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (NB, NF, NS, ON, QC) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): na Heterotypic Synonym(s): POWO lists 7 heterotypic synonyms for this species. Autonym: na Wetland Status (NC): FACW Wetland Status (MW): FACW