Impatiens capensis is what I think this flower is. If anyone knows differently, please tell me. According to Wikipedia, the common names are "Orange Jewelweed, Common Jewelweed, Spotted Jewelweed, Spotted Touch-me-not, or Orange Balsam." It is an annual wetland plant, native to North America. But as near as I can tell, it is native in the eastern half of the U.S., not Oregon. Nevertheless, here it is... en masse... in our pond margin this year, for the first time. At least, this is the first time I've noticed it here.
Only once before have I seen this flower in Oregon and that was in the narrow strip of bare land between two barns on my parents' ranch on the western slope of the Cascades. Apparently enough moisture dripped from the roof to keep it happy. My mother called it English Orchid. I have no idea where that name came from as I've not been able to find it anywhere. Searching the Oregon Flora Project, I did find a few observations of this plant in the northern Willamette Valley so apparently, it is native to Oregon, at least it is now.
The mucilaginous sap, according to an online source, is supposed to soothe skin irritation caused by Poison Ivy and Stinging Nettle. We are too far west for Poison Ivy, thank goodness, but we have plenty of Stinging Nettle. I will test out this theory next time I get nettled. The sap is also said to have fungicidal properties and has been used to treat Athlete's Foot. (However, it's an annual so you better get your fungi in the summer.)
The very pretty flowers are small but numerous and the plants are plentiful... apparently they reseed themselves and form colonies. They have formed a large colony in our pond when I wasn't watching. I'll try to get more photos to add another time.
Update: I found this plant under the name Cape Jewelweed, also Impatiens capensis, on the pnwflowers.com site. That site says:
Cape Jewelweed
Upright. Stems stout, little- or much-branched, enlarged at axils, hairless. Leaves alternate, to 4 in. long, widely oval, toothed. Flowers 1 to few from upper leaf axils, each on a long thread-like stalk. Flowers include a swollen yellow tube with curled spur and 4 orange petal lobes at opening. Grows in moist to wet soils in partly shady places along rivers and creeks.I think I'll stick with "Orange" Jewelweed. What "cape" are they talking about?
