September 8, 2007
Jewelweed or Spotted Touch-me-not (Impatiens capensis)
Large patches of this native wetland plant can be found in the woods to the west of Lusitania Meadow. When bees are attracted to the unusual looking flowers, they have to crawl into the pouch to get to the nectar stored in the narrow horn below the flower. The name Touch-me-not comes from the fact that the seedpods, when ripe, will burst apart at the slightest touch, flinging the seeds outward and startling the unsuspecting toucher.