Jewelweed
Impatiens capensis
 

This plant blooms with bright orange - sometimes yellow - flowers from summer into fall. Part of the paved trail up to the Whitewater Falls overlook is lined with jewelweed. On one of my trips when the plants were in bloom, the hummingbirds were swarming around the flowers.

In ideal conditions this annual plant can grow to 4-5 feet - a group of several plants can appear shrublike. Leaves are alternate and toothed. Three irregularly shaped petals form the tube-like flower. Pollinated flowers develop into a fruit which ripens, then pops and spews seeds when disturbed.

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