I am happy because it is a beautiful summer day and I am finally going to get rid of these weeds. It is a bright sunny day with very little humidity. I have chosen to examine a site in between my house and my shed that has become overgrown with weeds. Under the weeds the site is gravel (probably to keep out the weeds) and it is surrounded by my lawn. I thought that I had spotted an invasive species growing in this pretty diverse group of plants so I decided to investigate further. I was surprised (and pleased) because the plant that I thought was Japanese Knotweed was something else altogether (not sure what it is). I should have known because it was quite small and it's the end of August.
The plant was blooming with orange flowers that look just like the Jewelweed flowers
The leaf was oval with toothed edges.
Paved road
Dirt road
People
Recent disturbance
Construction
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Impatiens sp.
Hi there,
I've just joined Vital Signs as as expert reviewer, so I've just received your observation from August. A bit late as we're covered with snow at the moment. But, yes definitely Jewelweed ( Impatiens capensis) I've bunches of it too at my home. Usually in more shade than sun, and likes it damp. It's an annual, so you'll continue to get some seedlings for a while from previous year's seeds even if you've pulled all you see. You should have less and less as the years go by as long as you pull every year, before they explode with the seeds. Thankfully they're easy to remove. It's a North American native, and has been transported to Europe, and thrives there as well. So, it's not always that we here are on the receiving end of invasive plants. Sometimes our natives become pests elsewhere.
Hope to hear more from you in the coming season.
I recognize that!
Hey, I was just talking with someone the other day about jewelweed... and now you've documented it! Terrific.
And I like the way you are combining your scientific investigations with yard work duties. I did a bit of that myself last weekend - I pulled out three Japanese barberries, I'm not sure how many Japanese knotweed shoots, and cut three or four Oriental bittersweet vines. Next weekend, I may tackle the celandine.
Your prediction that the gravelly area would be a good place to suspect invasive species seems very sound - they often show up in disturbed areas. How nice that the plot looks mostly full of jewelweed.
Oh, don't forget to put a leaf underwater - they turn silvery and beautiful.