I walk along parts of the Windsor Heights trail almost every day during the summer, and one of the wildflowers I’m most excited to see blooming is Yellow jewelweed (Impatiens pallida). These plants are native to most of North America east of the Rocky Mountains and thrive in wooded areas with partial shade.
According to the Illinois Wildflowers website, “Yellow Jewelweed also tolerates full sun, light shade, and mesic conditions (if it receives some protection from the afternoon sun). This species is a little more tolerant of dry conditions than Impatiens capensis (Orange Jewelweed).” Bleeding Heartland covered the orange variety of jewelweed here. I’ve usually found the orange flowers in very wet areas, such as next to a pond.
I took all of the photos enclosed below in August 2024 next to the Windsor Heights trail that runs along North Walnut Creek. There are also some colonies of yellow jewelweed farther north on the same trail in Urbandale, heading from Windsor Heights toward Walker Johnston Park.
Continue Reading...