Orange Jewel Weed

impatiens capensis

from wikipedia: is an annual plant native to north america. it is common in bottomland soils, ditches, and along creeks, often growing side-by-side with its less common relative, yellow jewelweed (i. pallida).

the flowers are orange with a three-lobed corolla; one of the calyx lobes is colored similarly to the corolla and forms a hooked conical spur at the back of the flower. the stems are somewhat translucent, succulent and have swollen or darkened nodes. the seed pods are pendant and have projectile seeds that explode out of the pods when they are lightly touched, if ripe, which is where the name touch-me-not comes from. along with other species of jewelweed it is a traditional remedy for skin rashes, although controlled studies have not shown efficacy for this purpose.

impatiens capensis was transported in the 19th and 20th by humans to england, france, the netherlands, poland, sweden, finland, and potentially other areas of northern and central europe. these naturalized populations persist in the absence of any common cultivation by people.